OBJECTIVE: Autistic spectrum traits are postulated to lie on a continuum that extends between individuals with autism and individuals with typical development. The present study was carried out to investigate functional and network abnormalities associated with autistic spectrum trait in healthy male subjects. METHODS: Subjects were 41 healthy male subjects who underwent the social responsiveness scale-adult (SRS-A) and magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: There was significant positive correlation between the total score of SRS-A and the regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Also, there were changes in functional network such as in cingulate corti, insula and fusiform cortex. Further, we also found the significant difference of functional networks between the healthy male subjects with high or low autistic spectrum trait, and these points were congruent with the previous perceptions derived from autistic-spectrum disorders. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a biological basis for the autistic spectrum trait and may be useful for the imaging marker of autism symptomatology.
Autism Spectrum Disorder ; Autistic Disorder ; Cerebrovascular Circulation* ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male* ; SRS-A

PURPOSE: Intracranial administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is known to elicit a rapid innate immune response, activate glial cells in the brain, and induce depression-like behavior. However, no study has focused on the changes in glial cells induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS in vivo. METHODS: Ten adult male Fischer F344 rats underwent [¹¹C]PK11195 PET before and 2 days after intraperitoneal injection of LPS to evaluate the changes in glial cells. The difference in standardized uptake values (SUV) of [¹¹C]PK11195 between before and after injection was determined. RESULTS: There was a cluster of brain regions that showed significant reductions in SUV. This cluster included the bilateral striata and bilateral frontal regions, especially the somatosensory areas. CONCLUSIONS Changes in activity of glial cells induced by the intraperitoneal injection of LPS were detected in vivo by [¹¹C]PK11195 PET. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS is known to induce depression, and further studies with [¹¹C]PK11195 PET would clarify the relationships between neuroinflammation and depression.

PURPOSE: Intracranial administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is known to elicit a rapid innate immune response, activate glial cells in the brain, and induce depression-like behavior. However, no study has focused on the changes in glial cells induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS in vivo.METHODS: Ten adult male Fischer F344 rats underwent [¹¹C]PK11195 PET before and 2 days after intraperitoneal injection of LPS to evaluate the changes in glial cells. The difference in standardized uptake values (SUV) of [¹¹C]PK11195 between before and after injection was determined.RESULTS: There was a cluster of brain regions that showed significant reductions in SUV. This cluster included the bilateral striata and bilateral frontal regions, especially the somatosensory areas.CONCLUSIONS: Changes in activity of glial cells induced by the intraperitoneal injection of LPS were detected in vivo by [¹¹C]PK11195 PET. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS is known to induce depression, and further studies with [¹¹C]PK11195 PET would clarify the relationships between neuroinflammation and depression.
Adult ; Animals ; Brain ; Depression ; Electrons ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Male ; Neuroglia ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344

Objective: This study aimed to determine if the discrepancy between depression severity rated by clinicians and that reported by patients depends on key behavioral/psychological features in patients with mood disorders. Methods: Participants included 100 patients with mood disorders. First, we examined correlations and regressions between scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Second, we divided the participants into those who provided 1) greater ratings for the BDI compared with the HAMD (BDI relative-overrating, BO) group, 2) comparable ratings for the BDI and HAMD (BDI relatively concordant, BC) group, or 3) less ratings for the BDI (BDI relative-underrating, BU) group. Adverse childhood experiences, autistic-like traits, and coping styles were evaluated with a six-item short version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-6), the Social Responsiveness Scale for Adults (SRS-A), and the Ways of Coping Checklist (WCCL), respectively. Results: A significant correlation was found between HAMD and BDI scores. Total and emotional abuse subscale scores from the CTQ-6, and the self-blame subscale scores from the WCCL were significantly higher for the BO group compared with the BU group. The BO group also elicited significantly higher SRS-A total scores than did the other groups. Conclusion These findings suggest that patients with adverse emotional experiences, autistic-like traits, and self-blame coping styles perceive greater distress than that evaluated objectively by clinicians. The results indicate the need for inclusion of subjective assessments to effectively evaluate depressive symptoms in patients deemed to have these psycho-behavioral concerns.