Right now, it is difficult to note the signs of autism in children who are younger than the age of three. Doctors at Children’s Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School are using an EEG in order to look for the signs of autism in the brain waves of infants. This could, potentially, lead to earlier treatment than is currently possible.
You have probably heard of the technology called an EEG. This stands for electroencephalography. It records the tiny electrical impulses that are produced by activity in the brain. Doctors can then take a look at the wave patterns that are produced. This is one way for doctors to identify and diagnose certain conditions that are present in the brain.
The most common use for an EEG is to help diagnose seizures. The EEG can tell the doctors what type of seizures a person is having, where in the brain those seizures are located, and what kind of brain activity happens during a seizure.
Recently, doctors started using an EEG to see how autism affects the brain, and to identify patterns that indicate that a infant has autism. The only other test for autism that I have heard of for infants was a five-minute screening. From what I understand, though, the five minute screening is a checklist that is quickly given by a doctor when an infant is at a well-baby visit. It can potentially indicate that there may be signs of autism, but, not as definitively as an EEG can.
The EEG works by placing several dozen electrodes against the scalp of an infant. It looks something like a really detailed hair net. The infant then sits on a parent’s lap. Older children can sit on a chair by themselves instead, if they are able.
A computer is used to analyze the signals that come from the infant’s brain. Doctors can look for specific kinds of markers that would indicate the that infant is likely to develop autism when he or she is a bit older. One interesting marker that indicates autism is a high frequency brain wave known as gamma oscillations.
The EEG test is painless, and from what I understand it doesn’t take that long. It’s nice that the infant’s parent can be right there with him or her while the test is administered. One could assume that since this test can indicate autism in infants that it would mean these infants could start treatment right away, instead of waiting until they are three or four years old. It is something for parents to think about, especially if your infant has older siblings who have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
Image by tommy.Ian on Flickr