A study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry reports lower availability of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) across the brains of autistic adults. James McPartland of Yale School of Medicine said the finding is important and can help researchers understand autism in a clearer way and point to possible interventions.
The researchers used PET, which reveals molecular information about receptor availability, together with MRI to show brain anatomy. They compared 16 autistic adults with 16 neurotypical adults. Analyses showed less brain‑wide mGlu5 availability in autistic participants, a result that supports the idea of an excitatory–inhibitory imbalance in the brain.
Fifteen autistic participants also had EEG tests; the EEG measures of electrical brain activity were associated with lower mGlu5 levels. The team notes that PET is costly and involves radiation, so EEG might be a cheaper, more accessible way to study excitatory function. The study included only autistic adults with average or above average cognitive ability, and researchers plan future studies in children and adolescents and methods with lower PET radiation.
Difficult words
- receptor — protein on cells that receives signalsreceptor availability
- availability — amount or presence of something that can be usedmGlu5 availability
- molecular — related to molecules, very small chemical parts
- analysis — detailed study of data or experimentsAnalyses
- imbalance — lack of proper balance between two thingsexcitatory–inhibitory imbalance
- neurotypical — person whose brain development is not autistic
- radiation — energy that can travel as waves or particlesPET radiation
- intervention — action taken to change a medical or social situationinterventions
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Discussion questions
- How could the finding of lower mGlu5 availability help researchers plan interventions for autistic adults?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of using EEG instead of PET in brain studies?
- Why is it important to study children and adolescents after studies in adults?
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