Simon Maier, Kathrin Nickel, Thomas Lange, Georg Oeltzschner, Michael Dacko, Dominique Endres, Kimon Runge, Anke Schumann, Katharina Domschke, Michalis Rousos, Ludger Tebartz van Elst
{"title":"Increased cerebral lactate levels in adults with autism spectrum disorders compared to non-autistic controls: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.","authors":"Simon Maier, Kathrin Nickel, Thomas Lange, Georg Oeltzschner, Michael Dacko, Dominique Endres, Kimon Runge, Anke Schumann, Katharina Domschke, Michalis Rousos, Ludger Tebartz van Elst","doi":"10.1186/s13229-023-00577-y","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a heterogeneous group with varied phenotypes and etiologies. Identifying pathogenic subgroups could facilitate targeted treatments. One promising avenue is investigating energy metabolism, as mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in a subgroup of ASD. Lactate, an indicator of energy metabolic anomalies, may serve as a potential biomarker for this subgroup. This study aimed to examine cerebral lactate (Lac+) levels in high-functioning adults with ASD, hypothesizing elevated mean Lac+ concentrations in contrast to neurotypical controls (NTCs).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to study cerebral Lac+ in 71 adults with ASD and NTC, focusing on the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). After quality control, 64 ASD and 58 NTC participants remained. Lac+ levels two standard deviations above the mean of the control group were considered elevated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean PCC Lac+ levels were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the NTC group (p = 0.028; Cohen's d = 0.404), and 9.4% of the ASD group had elevated levels as compared to 0% of the NTCs (p = 0.029). No significant correlation was found between blood serum lactate levels and MRS-derived Lac+ levels.</p><p><strong>Limitations: </strong>A cautious interpretation of our results is warranted due to a p value of 0.028. In addition, a higher than anticipated proportion of data sets had to be excluded due to poor spectral quality.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study confirms the presence of elevated cerebral Lac+ levels in a subgroup of adults with ASD, suggesting the potential of lactate as a biomarker for mitochondrial dysfunction in a subgroup of ASD. The lower-than-expected prevalence (20% was expected) and moderate increase require further investigation to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and relationships with mitochondrial function.</p>","PeriodicalId":18733,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Autism","volume":"14 1","pages":"44"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3000,"publicationDate":"2023-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10655272/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Molecular Autism","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-023-00577-y","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"GENETICS & HEREDITY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a heterogeneous group with varied phenotypes and etiologies. Identifying pathogenic subgroups could facilitate targeted treatments. One promising avenue is investigating energy metabolism, as mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in a subgroup of ASD. Lactate, an indicator of energy metabolic anomalies, may serve as a potential biomarker for this subgroup. This study aimed to examine cerebral lactate (Lac+) levels in high-functioning adults with ASD, hypothesizing elevated mean Lac+ concentrations in contrast to neurotypical controls (NTCs).
Materials and methods: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to study cerebral Lac+ in 71 adults with ASD and NTC, focusing on the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). After quality control, 64 ASD and 58 NTC participants remained. Lac+ levels two standard deviations above the mean of the control group were considered elevated.
Results: Mean PCC Lac+ levels were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the NTC group (p = 0.028; Cohen's d = 0.404), and 9.4% of the ASD group had elevated levels as compared to 0% of the NTCs (p = 0.029). No significant correlation was found between blood serum lactate levels and MRS-derived Lac+ levels.
Limitations: A cautious interpretation of our results is warranted due to a p value of 0.028. In addition, a higher than anticipated proportion of data sets had to be excluded due to poor spectral quality.
Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of elevated cerebral Lac+ levels in a subgroup of adults with ASD, suggesting the potential of lactate as a biomarker for mitochondrial dysfunction in a subgroup of ASD. The lower-than-expected prevalence (20% was expected) and moderate increase require further investigation to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and relationships with mitochondrial function.
期刊介绍:
Molecular Autism is a peer-reviewed, open access journal that publishes high-quality basic, translational and clinical research that has relevance to the etiology, pathobiology, or treatment of autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions. Research that includes integration across levels is encouraged. Molecular Autism publishes empirical studies, reviews, and brief communications.