Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic and Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female participants between 6 and 17 years of age.
• Fulfills diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders by meeting DSM-IV-TR PDD diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, or PDD-NOS as established by clinical interview.
• Subjects and their legal representative must have a level of understanding sufficient to communicate intelligently with the investigator and study coordinator, and to cooperate with all tests and examinations required by the protocol.
• Subjects and their legal representative must be considered reliable reporters.
• Each subject and his/her authorized legal representative must understand the nature of the study. The subject's authorized legal representative and the subject must sign an IRB approved informed consent and assent document respectively.
• Participants with disruptive behavior disorders, mood and anxiety disorders will be allowed to participate in the study provided they do not meet any exclusionary criteria.

Exclusion criteria

• IQ < 85.
• DSM-IV-TR PDD diagnoses of Rett's disorder, or childhood disintegrative disorder.
• Current diagnosis of a psychotic disorder or unstable bipolar disorder.
• History of recent or current (past 30 days) clinically significant depressive or anxiety disorder that warrants treatment.
• History of substance use (except nicotine or caffeine) within past 3 months or urine drug screen positive for substances of abuse.
• Clinically unstable psychiatric conditions or judged to be at serious safety risk to self (suicidal risk) or others.
• Subjects with a medical condition or treatment that will either jeopardize subject safety or affect the scientific merit of the study.
• Organic brain disorders.
• History of non-febrile seizures without a clear and resolved etiology in last 1 month.
• Pregnant or nursing females.
• Left hand dominant subjects.
• History of claustrophobia or fear of enclosed places.
• Presence of metal or surgical devices (aneurysm clips, metal plates, cochlear implants, neurostimulators, braces, and other items).
• Investigator and his/her immediate family; defined as the investigator's spouse, parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild.