To define a link between excitatory/inhibitory (glutamate/GABA) neurotransmission and neural functioning across different brain regions (regional specificity) and to establish the relation between this link and ASD symptomatology (tapping into…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Developmental disorders NEC
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
ASD symptoms (continuous measures of repetitive behavior problems and abnormal
sensory processing as measured with the Repetitive Behaviour Scale and the
Short Sensory Profile) and the degree to which these symptoms are associated
with MRI-based functional and neurochemical measures in the anterior cingulate
cortex (ACC) and visual cortex (V1) will be investigated.
Secondary outcome
N/A
Background summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a very heterogenous group of disorders
characterized by qualitative impairments in social interactions and
communication, and a range of repetitive/ restricted behaviours and interests
and abnormal sensory processing. Clinical diagnosis is still based solely on
behavioural classification. No biomarkers have been established to aid in
diagnosing or stratifying ASD. In this study entitled *Excitatory/Inhibitory
imbalance in autism spectrum disorder* (Equilibirium) we will apply an
innovative MRI technique to investigate an important hypothesis of ASD that
assumes an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission to be
underlying ASD symptomatology.
Study objective
To define a link between excitatory/inhibitory (glutamate/GABA)
neurotransmission and neural functioning across different brain regions
(regional specificity) and to establish the relation between this link and ASD
symptomatology (tapping into clinical heterogeneity).
Study design
ASD participants and controls will be selected from an existing ASD study
(LEAP3-protocol, NL72033.091.19) and will be invited for an additional
MRI-protocol at 7 Tesla and/or will be recruited from a volunteer database of
the department of psychiatry at the Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Study burden and risks
All participants will be adults older than 20 years. The risk of participating
in this study is negligible. MRI, also at 7 Tesla, when conducted following
standard protocols and screening, has no known adverse health effects. We
anticipate novel findings using this innovative MRI procedure in which we
measure neural functioning and chemistry simultaneously, which is only
attainable using 7 Tesla. Incidental neurological findings may have
consequences for the participants. Patients will not benefit directly from
participating in the study, but they will contribute to knowledge that may lead
to improved treatments in the long term.
Kapittelweg 29
Nijmegen 6525EN
NL
Kapittelweg 29
Nijmegen 6525EN
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
18 years or older
Dutch speaking
Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
Willingness and ability to understand nature and content of the study
IQ > 70
An established clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder according to the
DSM-5 criteria (patient group only)
Exclusion criteria
History of brain surgery or epilepsy
History of neurological treatment
Any acute or chronic neurological disorders.
Pregnancy
Claustrophobia
MRI incompatibility (metal parts in upper body, implants, medical devices or
medicinal plasters)
There is presence of a diagnosis of psychosis or bipolar disorder (patient
group)
There is presence of any DSM-5 axis I or axis II psychiatric disorders (control
group)
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL72899.091.20 |