GLUCOSE METABOLIC RATE (GMR)

   Compared with age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers, patients with autism spectrum disorders showed significantly decreased glucose metabolism in both the anterior and posterior cingulate gyri  (Haznedar et al, 1997, 2000).

   Autistic patients showed negative correlations of medial frontal cortical GMR with attentional performance, suggesting that neuronal inefficiency in that region may contribute to poor performance (Siegel et al, 1995).

   Hypothyroidism is known to decrease cerebral metabolism. Virtually all 48 brain regions examined in  thyroidectomized rats exhibited lower rates of glucose utilization than those of the controls with differences ranging from -24 to -58%. The decreases were particularly large in the cerebral cortex and throughout the auditory system (Dow-Edwards et al, 1986).

Also see:ERP

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Haznedar MM, Buchsbaum MS, Metzger M, Solimando A, Spiegel-Cohen J, Hollander E - "Anterior cingulate gyrus volume and glucose metabolism in autistic disorder" Am J Psychiatry 154(8):1047-50 (1997) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=9247387&form=6&db=m&Dopt=r

Siegel BV Jr, Nuechterlein KH, Abel L, Wu JC, Buchsbaum MS - "Glucose metabolic correlates of continuous performance test performance in adults with a history of infantile autism, schizophrenics, and controls" Schizophr Res 17(1):85-94  (1995) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=8541254&form=6&db=m&Dopt=r