Post-mortem and high field MRI and MR spectroscopy insights into the neurobiology of autism.

Authors

Fariea Bakul, Halla Stallworth, Gopikrishna Deshpande, Rajesh K Kana

Published in

Neuroscience. Aug 29, 2026. Epub Aug 29, 2026.

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent challenges in social communication and the presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors. Neuroimaging and post-mortem research have consistently shown that ASD is associated with atypical brain connectivity and microstructural alterations. However, no singular neurobiological marker has been reliably established for diagnosis, and autism diagnoses depend primarily on behavioral evaluations, which may result in delayed or imprecise identification. The biological complexity and heterogeneity of ASD suggest that no single measure is likely to be sufficient, and instead calls for a multidimensional approach that integrates microstructural, neurochemical, and metabolic information. Advanced neuroimaging techniques, particularly ultra-high-field 7 Tesla MRI and phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (³¹P MRS), offer promising avenues for detecting subtle neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and metabolic changes in autism. Because studies using 7 T scanners remain sporadic, this review combines a systematic search with a narrative synthesis to assess the current evidence. It brings together post-mortem histological findings with in-vivo ultra-high-field MR evidence across three domains: cortical layer connectivity, excitation-inhibition balance, and bioenergetics. Post-mortem studies establish layer-specific and E/I alterations, while emerging 7 T MRI and MRS findings begin to capture comparable cortical-layer, neurochemical, and bioenergetic differences in living individuals. Because these domains are interdependent, examining them together yields more complete insight than any one in isolation. By showing where these lines of evidence converge, this narrative review identifies directions toward a combination of biologically grounded markers of autism and improved understanding of its neurobiology.

PMID:
42668002
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 30 Aug 2026.

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