Talk

Flip

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

Autism & MRI

4 replies

mymatemax · 29/11/2007 22:49

Sorry if this has been asked before or if i'm being a bit thick but, does Autism show on an MRI & if so is there a typical pattern of damage that would indicate autism?
I'm guessing if it did show up it would be more widely used for diagnosis?

OP posts:

Report

mccreadymum · 30/11/2007 11:41

I don't think they yet know exactly what causes autism, so no I don't believe there is an MRI you can have done. They have identified some genes that may be involved, but are not yet far enough along in study of brain to be able to pinpoint it in an MRI. Behavioural observation is still their only real way of diagnosing. HOpe that helps?

Report

sarah573 · 30/11/2007 11:46

I googled this a while back. From what I gathered the MRI cannot detect autism as such (shame!). There have been some studies using an MRI which suggest that autistic teenagers and adults brains weigh more than NT people. Im not aware of MRIs being used as a diagnostic tool though.

Report

twocutedarlings · 30/11/2007 12:21

Really intresting this, DD had an MRI at 3 weeks old as she was starved of qxygen for a short time before she was born. I mensioned this to her Pead during her ASD assessment and her pead has since requested a copy of the results. We go back to see her in Jan so i will see what she has to say. It certainly make you wonder though because if ASD cannot be seen on a MRI Why would she want to see it?? IYKWIM.

Report

mymatemax · 30/11/2007 16:48

Its not that I am looking for confirmation of dx its his PAED who has said she would like to discuss ds having an MRI.
He has CP & we all assume he suffered brain damage as a result of his prematurity (28wks) but she has said in light of his ASD dx it might be worth doing an MRI, just wondering why?