GABA estimation in the brains of children on the autism spectrum: Measurement precision and regional cortical variation

No group differences in GABA +/Cr were observed for the Visual ROI between TD vs. ASD children. However, the Motor and Auditory ROI showed significantly reduced GABA +/Cr in ASD (Motor p < 0.05; Auditory p < 0.01). The mean deficiency in GABA +/Cr from the Motor ROI was approximately 11% and Auditory ROI was approximately 22%. Our novel findings support the model of regional differences in GABA +/Cr in the ASD brain, primarily in Auditory and to a lesser extent Motor but not Visual areas.