Positron emission tomography assessment of cerebral glucose metabolic rates in autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia

Abstract

Several models have been proposed to account for observed overlaps in clinical features and genetic predisposition between schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. This study assessed similarities and differences in topological patterns and vectors of glucose metabolism in both disorders in reference to these models. Co-registered fluorodeoxyglucose PET and MRI scans were obtained in 41 schizophrenia, 25 ASD, and 55 healthy control subjects. AFNI was used to map cortical and subcortical regions of interest. Metabolic rates were compared between three diagnostic groups using univariate and multivariate repeated-measures ANOVA. Compared to controls, metabolic rates in schizophrenia subjects were decreased in the frontal lobe, anterior cingulate, superior temporal gyrus, amygdala and medial thalamic nuclei; rates were increased in the occipital cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia and lateral thalamic nuclei. In ASD subjects metabolic rates were decreased in the parietal lobe, frontal premotor and eye-fields areas, and amygdala; rates were increased in the posterior cingulate, occipital cortex, hippocampus and basal ganglia. In relation to controls, subjects with ASD and schizophrenia showed opposite changes in metabolic rates in the primary motor and somatosensory cortex, anterior cingulate and hypothalamus; similar changes were found in prefrontal and occipital cortices, inferior parietal lobule, amygdala, hippocampus, and basal ganglia. Schizophrenia and ASD appear to be associated with a similar pattern of metabolic abnormalities in the social brain. Divergent maladaptive trade-offs, as postulated by the diametrical hypothesis of their evolutionary relationship, may involve a more circumscribed set of anterior cingulate, motor and somatosensory regions and the specific cognitive functions they subserve.

The metabolic basis of psychosis in bipolar disorder: A positron emission tomography study

“…Notably, a recent collaborative study from the ENIGMA consortium, employing a sample of over 6,500 individuals, reported significant evidences of reduced occipital cortical thickness, which was also associated with longer duration of illness, in BD patients . Similarly, metabolic alterations in occipital areas have been reported in different functional MRI (fMRI) and PET studies in both schizophrenia and BD . Specifically for BD, altered occipital activity was detected in BD patients compared to patients with unipolar depression, in response to emotional stimuli and cognitive tasks .…”

“…PET studies in both schizophrenia 10 and BD. 20 Specifically for BD, altered occipital activity was detected in BD patients compared to patients with unipolar depression, in response to emotional stimuli 21 and cognitive tasks. 22 Additionally, a recent fMRI study carried out by Cerullo et al 23 showed that during an emotional processing task BD patients reported a decreased activation in the middle occipital gyrus compared to both unipolar depression and HC.…”

Impaired brain glucose metabolism and presynaptic dopaminergic functioning in a mouse model of schizophrenia

“…Among the most used tracer in clinical diagnostics is the fluorinated glucose analog [ 18 F]-FDG, which localizes in metabolically active tissues and accumulates in an activity-dependent manner. Many reports have shown reduced glucose metabolic rate in the frontal cortex of patients with schizophrenia, i.e., hypofrontality by [18F]-FDG PET scanning [17][18][19][20]. Presynaptic dopaminergic functioning may be also studied by a PET scanner in vivo by the administration of [ 18 F]-F-DOPA (Fluorodopa), as it is incorporated by presynaptic monoaminergic neurons, decarboxylated to [ 18 F]-fluorodopamine by the aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) and then stored in vesicles.…”

Review on Assessment of Anxiety Symptoms of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed metabolic weaknesses in the frontal cortex and cerebellum, while magnetoencephalography (MEG) showed higher epileptic activity in patients with ASD. Structural and functional abnormalities in the amygdala hippocampus and the limbic system were associated with emotional processes in ASD including fear and anxiety (LaBar et al, 2006;Mitelman et al, 2017).…”

“…According to one relevant review 36 different methods of assessment have been used to measure anxiety in children with ASD, including instruments for self-administration and others for parents, clinical staff and teachers (LaBar et al, 2006;Mitelman et al, 2017;Gillot, Standen, 2007;Rumsey et al, 1985;DeVincent et al, 2007;Kristensen, 2000;Bastiaansen et al, 2004;Grondhuis & Aman, 2012). With few exceptions Hallett et al, 2013b;Leyfer et al, 2006;Storch et al, 2012a), most of the instruments used to measure anxiety in children with ASD were developed for use with children of TD.…”