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Resting cortical brain activity and social behavior in higher functioning children with autism
Steven K Sutton1, Courtney P Burnette, Peter C Mundy
1University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA. sksutton@miami.edu
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
|February 1, 2005
Summary
Resting anterior EEG asymmetry may differentiate social behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Right frontal asymmetry correlated with more social impairments, while left frontal asymmetry was linked to higher social anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Psychophysiological measures of social behavior are valuable for understanding autism spectrum disorder (ASD) subgroups.
- Resting anterior electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry may reflect motivation and social interaction tendencies in children with autism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between resting anterior EEG asymmetry, social impairment, and social anxiety in high-functioning children with autism (HFA).
Main Methods:
- Examined resting anterior EEG asymmetry in 23 HFA children and 20 controls (ages 9-14).
- Assessed social impairment and social anxiety measures.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in anterior asymmetry, social symptoms, and anxiety were found between groups.
- HFA children with right frontal asymmetry (RFA) showed more social impairments and better visual-analytic skills.
- HFA children with left frontal asymmetry (LFA) reported fewer social impairments but higher social anxiety and stress.
Conclusions:
- Anterior EEG asymmetry may serve as a marker for motivation and emotion processes in HFA children.
- EEG asymmetry helps distinguish individual differences in social presentation within the autism spectrum.