Thursday, June 28, 2012

Specialists at Boston Children's Hospital has discovered that EEG traces, which record brain activity using electrodes attached to the scalp, can reliably detect autism in children as young as two years old.

The suggestion is based upon a test group of over 1,000 children, in which brain scans of children with autism were noticeable distinguishable from those of other children without autism.  This gave researchers the ability to determine 33 specific EEG patterns which appear to be linked to autism.

While further study is required, the research clearly has implications for improving the quality of life for children with autism, since early detection can lead to the early establishment of supports in their lives.

To read the BBC News article, "EEG Brain Trace 'Can Detect Autism'" click here.