Developmental changes in fronto-striatal glutamate and their association with functioning during inhibitory control in autism spectrum disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive compulsive (OCD) show overlapping symptomatology deficits in inhibitory control, which are associated with altered functioning glutamatergic signaling fronto-striatal circuitry. These parameters have never been examined together. The purpose of the current study was to investigate during control its association glutamate concentrations across these disorders using a multi-center, longitudinal approach. Adolescents ASD (n = 24), OCD 15) controls 35) underwent two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sessions one-year interval. This included proton spectroscopy (1H-MRS; n 74) functional MRI an task 53). We investigated 1H-MRS data fMRI separately as well integrated multimodal analysis linear models focusing on diagnosis continuous measures compulsivity symptoms. ACC reduced over time group compared controls, while striatal decreased independent diagnosis. Increased behavior seemed be increased activity failed control. analyses showed differential involvement but successful ASD, suggesting different underlying mechanisms for ASD.