Autism Diagnosis And Prevention: Brain Scans Could Help Determine Autism Spectrum Disorder Early In Boys, Says Study

Young boys afflicted with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might benefit from new research findings in autism diagnosis. Experts have devised a way that would enable brain scans to detect the condition in its early stages. The process could help facilitate effective prevention for autism.

The study, which was published in the JAMA Psychiatry journal, determined how the brain circuits worked in boys with autism spectrum disorder. Using brain images scanned from an MRI, this allowed the experts to actually measure the markers in autism patients who are under behavioral or medical therapy.

Apparently, the study findings are pretty groundbreaking. "This is significant because biomarkers give us a 'why' for understanding autism in boys that we haven't had before," said study co-author Kevin Pelphrey via Eurekalert.

Social Perception Circuits In The Brain Scans Of A Person With ASD

The experts gathered 164 brain scans in each of its 114 subjects and saw that those with ASD had significant changes in their social perception circuits. The data from the brain scans also showed how that the social perception circuit functions differently between young and old men with ASD.

If by measuring the social perception circuits against various forms of interventions, therapies and treatments, the experts would then be able to come up with specific programs that work best on their patients. In most cases, it's hard for doctors to diagnose the ASD completely.

However, the brain scans would now provide a "definitive diagnosis" for a condition that has so many cause and triggers. "Brain function markers may provide the specific and objective measures required to bridge this gap," said study co-author Malin Björnsdotter in the press release.

Malin Björnsdotter has identified a new functional #biomarker for #autism in boys https://t.co/hWo3MBshiD pic.twitter.com/LgrV9B1Xk1

— Sahlgrenska Academy (@SahlgrenskaAcad) April 21, 2016

Brains Scans For Autism Prevention

Apart from improving ASD treatment, the researchers said that the brain scans can aid in autism prevention. Unfortunately, the only problem is that MRI is not part of a standard ASD diagnosis and more evidence have to be uncovered to support why this should be necessary.

The researchers also acknowledged that their study is still in its early stages, but there is plenty of potential. "This kind of imaging can help us answer the question, 'On day one of treatment, will this child benefit from a 16-week behavioral intervention?'" said Pelphrey via GW Today.

He also said that it might help parents of young boys with ASD to "save time and money on diagnosis and treatments." The researchers plan to conduct studies on a larger scale of participants next.