Lower Purkinje cell counts in the cerebella of four autistic subjects: initial findings of the UCLA-NSAC Autopsy Research Report

As part of an autopsy research project, the brains of four autistic subjects were examined and compared with those of three comparison subjects without CNS pathology and one with phenytoin toxicity. The cerebellum was selected for initial investigation because pathognomonic symptoms and neurophysiol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of psychiatry Vol. 143; no. 7; p. 862
Main Authors Ritvo, E R, Freeman, B J, Scheibel, A B, Duong, T, Robinson, H, Guthrie, D, Ritvo, A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.07.1986
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Autistic Disorder - pathology
Autopsy
Cell Count
Cerebellum - cytology
Cerebellum - pathology
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Male
Purkinje Cells
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Summary:As part of an autopsy research project, the brains of four autistic subjects were examined and compared with those of three comparison subjects without CNS pathology and one with phenytoin toxicity. The cerebellum was selected for initial investigation because pathognomonic symptoms and neurophysiological measures suggest that pathology may exist in the cerebellar-vestibular axis in certain patients. Total Purkinje cell counts were significantly lower in the cerebellar hemisphere and vermis of each autistic subject than in the comparison subjects.
ISSN:0002-953X
1535-7228
DOI:10.1176/ajp.143.7.862