June 3, 2011
A new way of using MRI machines could help diagnose autism.
Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center can now measure brain signals that could identify if a child is autistic.
A recent study tested twelve autistic children and compared their brain functionality to fifteen typical children.
While using what's called a "functional MRI exam," researchers played voice recordings of the children's parents.
Researchers were then able to identify the autistic children -- based on their brain signals and level of language comprehension.
Meantime, doctors from the University of Miami say the research is promising, but it still must determine if the lack of language comprehension is considered autism.