*Communication* **Cerebral [18F]-FDOPA Uptake in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Its Association with Autistic Traits**

**Rik Schalbroeck 1,2,3,\*, Lioe-Fee de Geus-Oei 3,4, Jean-Paul Selten 1,2, Maqsood Yaqub 5, Anouk Schrantee 6, Therese van Amelsvoort 1, Jan Booij 6 and Floris H. P. van Velden 3**



**Abstract:** Dopaminergic signaling is believed to be related to autistic traits. We conducted an exploratory 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]-fluoro-L-phenylalanine positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]-FDOPA PET/CT) study, to examine cerebral [18F]-FDOPA influx constant (*k*icer min−1), reflecting predominantly striatal dopamine synthesis capacity and a mixed monoaminergic innervation in extrastriatal neurons, in 44 adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 22 controls, aged 18 to 30 years. Autistic traits were assessed with the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Region-of-interest and voxel-based analyses showed no statistically significant differences in *k*icer between autistic adults and controls. In autistic adults, striatal *k*icer was significantly, negatively associated with AQ attention to detail subscale scores, although Bayesian analyses did not support this finding. In conclusion, among autistic adults, specific autistic traits can be associated with reduced striatal dopamine synthesis capacity. However, replication of this finding is necessary.

**Keywords:** autism spectrum disorder; autistic traits; [18F]-FDOPA; positron emission tomography; dopamine; monoamine
