Ulay Halime Tuna, Ertuğrul Aygün
Asis., Hacettepe U Cocuk ve Ergen Ruh Sağliği ve Hastaliklari AD., Ankara.
Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2009 Summer;20(2):164-74.
Many structural and functional neuroimaging studies have investigated the neuroanatomical changes and possible pathophysiological pathways in autism. In this review the objective was to assess, with an integrative perspective, recent neuroimaging studies that have contributed to the explanation of the possible pathophysiological pathways in autism.
Relevant attainable studies published between 1997 and 2007 were included in this retrospective literature review. The PubMed search engine and the keywords, autism, autistic spectrum disorders, neuroimaging, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, and diffusion tensor imaging were used.
Structural neuroimaging studies reported an increase in total cerebral volume, both in grey and white matter, mostly in the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes. These global volumetric changes are suggested to indicate a diffuse disturbance in neural networks during early development. In functional neuroimaging studies, activation abnormalities were observed in the temporal lobes and amygdala, which are involved in language and social cognition. An increase in visual activity cortex was also reported.
Clinical observations and results from neuroimaging studies were gathered to hypothize and explain the pathophysiology of autism. Yet, it is still very early to conclude with certainty the neurobiological process responsible for autism.
许多结构和功能神经影像学研究都对自闭症中的神经解剖学变化及可能的病理生理途径进行了探究。在本综述中，目的是以综合的视角评估近期有助于解释自闭症可能病理生理途径的神经影像学研究。
本回顾性文献综述纳入了1997年至2007年间发表的相关可获取研究。使用了PubMed搜索引擎以及关键词“自闭症”“自闭症谱系障碍”“神经影像学”“计算机断层扫描”“磁共振成像”“功能磁共振成像”“磁共振波谱”“正电子发射断层扫描”“单光子发射计算机断层扫描”和“扩散张量成像”。
结构神经影像学研究报告称，全脑体积增加，包括灰质和白质，主要在额叶、颞叶和顶叶。这些整体体积变化被认为表明早期发育过程中神经网络存在弥漫性紊乱。在功能神经影像学研究中，观察到颞叶和杏仁核存在激活异常，这些区域与语言和社会认知有关。还报告了视觉活动皮层增加。
收集了临床观察结果和神经影像学研究结果，以推测和解释自闭症的病理生理学。然而，要确定导致自闭症的神经生物学过程仍为时尚早。
