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

American Journal of PsychiatryPublished 1 July 1986
Edward Ritvo, B. J. Freeman, Arnold B. Scheibel, Tanya T. Duong, H. Herbert Robinson, D. Guthrie
Citations580
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score5.27
SNIP3.68

TL;DR

The brains of four autistic subjects were examined and compared with those of three comparison subjects without CNS pathology and one with phenytoin toxicity; total Purkinje cell counts were significantly lower in the cerebellar hemisphere and vermis of each autistic subject than in the comparison subjects.

Abstract

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.

Keywords

NeuroscienceBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology