Comparative Study of Cerebral White Matter in Autism and Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by Means of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy1

We conclude that white matter of autistic children does not present alterations on MRS. We hypothesize that the higher concentration of NAA in the white matter of ADHD points to mitochondrial hypermetabolism. This may constitute a new substrate in the pathophysiology and merits further research.