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Abstract #4429

Reduced GABA levels and altered sensory function in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Nicolaas AJ Puts1,2, Ericka L Wodka3,4, Ashley D Harris1,2,5,6, Deana Crocetti7, Mark Tommerdahl8, Richard AE Edden1,2, and Stewart H Mostofsky3,7,9

1Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States, 2F.M. Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States, 3Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States, 4Psychiatry and behavioral sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States, 5Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada, 6Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada, 7Laboratory for Neurocognitive and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States, 8Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States, 9Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States

Children with Autism often show difficulties processing sensory stimuli, but the underpinnings are poorly understood. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, plays a role in the pathophysiology of ASD. Here we show reduced GABA levels in children with ASD, which is associated with abnormal performance on vibrotactile tasks related to inhibition. We show that alterations in GABA can contribute to alterations in sensory processing in ASD.

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