"Revealing Autism: New Brain Metric for Diagnosis and Treatment"

Researchers at the University of Virginia used Diffusion MRI to study the brain structures of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), revealing slower electrical conductivity in autistic brains due to variations in axon diameter. These structural differences have been linked to scores on the Social Communication Questionnaire, offering potential for precise diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The study, part of the NIH’s Autism Center of Excellence initiative, aims to pioneer a precision medicine approach to understanding and treating autism, with implications for other neurological disorders.