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Published on: April 9, 2014
Detection of abnormalities for diagnosing of children with autism disorders using of quantitative
Ali Sheikhani1, Hamid Behnam, Mohammad Reza Mohammadi
1Biomedical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. sheikhani_al_81@srbiau.ac.ir
Insights
Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) shows distinct alpha wave patterns in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This neurophysiologic diagnostic tool reveals significant differences in brain activity and connectivity in the ASD group.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) is a valuable tool for neurophysiologic diagnostics.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis often requires objective biomarkers.
- Understanding qEEG patterns in children with ASD is crucial for early detection and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate qEEG spectrogram and coherence values in children with ASD compared to neurotypical controls.
- To identify specific qEEG frequency bands and electrode locations that differentiate ASD from controls.
- To investigate alterations in brain connectivity within the ASD group.
Main Methods:
- qEEG data acquisition from 17 children with ASD (aged 6-11) and 11 age-matched controls.
- Analysis of spectrogram and coherence values across different frequency bands, particularly alpha (8-13 Hz) and gamma (36-44 Hz).
- Statistical analysis to determine significant differences in qEEG parameters between groups and within the ASD group.
Main Results:
- The alpha frequency band demonstrated a high distinction level (96.4%) using spectrogram criteria in a relaxed, eye-open state.
- Children with ASD exhibited significantly lower spectrogram values in the left brain hemisphere at specific electrodes (F3, T3, FP1, F7, C3, Cz, T5).
- Increased abnormalities in connectivity were observed in the gamma frequency band, particularly involving temporal lobe connections.
Conclusions:
- qEEG, specifically alpha band spectrogram analysis, shows high diagnostic potential for identifying children with ASD.
- Reduced left hemisphere activity in the alpha band is a key qEEG biomarker in ASD.
- Altered temporal lobe connectivity in the gamma band suggests disruptions in brain network function in ASD.
Abstract:
Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) has been used as a tool for neurophysiologic diagnostic. We used spectrogram and coherence values for evaluating qEEG in 17 children (13 boys and 4 girls aged between 6 and 11) with autism disorders (ASD) and 11 control children (7 boys and 4 girls with the same age range). Evaluation of qEEG with statistical analysis demonstrated that alpha frequency band (8-13 Hz) had the best distinction level of 96.4% in relaxed eye-opened condition using spectrogram criteria. The ASD group had significant lower spectrogram criteria values in left brain hemisphere, (p < 0.01) at F3 and T3 electrodes and (p < 0.05) at FP1, F7, C3, Cz and T5 electrodes. Coherence values at 171 pairs of EEG electrodes indicated that there are more abnormalities with higher values in the connectivity of temporal lobes with other lobes in gamma frequency band (36-44 Hz).
