Clinical (behavior scale items) , electrophysiologic (conditioned evoked potentials) and biochemical (urinary homovanillic acid) markers in infantile autism
Barthelemy, C.; Martineau, J.; Bruneau, N.; Garreau, B.; Jouve, J.; Muh, J.P.; Lelord, G.
L'Encephale 11(3): 101-106
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0013-7006 PMID: 3896755 Document Number: 246538
Infantile autism is a behaviorally defined syndrome. Many investigators suggest that it is probably related to a brain dysfunctioning in which catecholamine metabolism is involved. The aim of the following paper is to study the validity of different clinical and biological markers of this syndrome: 1. clinical scores using a behavioral rating scale, 2. amplitude and variability of conditioned auditory evoked potentials, 3. urinary levels of homovanillic acid. The response of these markers in autistic children treated with vitamin B6 and magnesium have been assessed. The relationships found between clinical and biological data are discussed. It can be expected that such an approach would contribute to a better understanding of the underlying mechanism of autism.