Pathologies in functional connectivity, feedback control and robustness: a global workspace perspective on autism...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Systems Biology

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents challenges in functional connectivity.
• The global workspace model provides a neurocognitive framework for understanding these issues.
• Network irregularities deviate from typical small-world network architecture in ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate functional connectivity problems in autism spectrum disorder.
• To analyze network irregularities within the global workspace model.
• To explore the relationship between coherence, connectivity, and cognitive function in ASD.

Main Methods:

• Examined network irregularities in functional connectivity.
• Utilized coherence-connectivity measures derived from neuroimaging data.
• Applied a feedback control model to analyze coherence functions and interaction parameters.

Main Results:

• Identified pathologies in functional connectivity and lack of central coherence.
• Disruptions in inter-network communication impair cognitive actions.
• Local overconnectivity and global underconnectivity contribute to workspace instability.

Conclusions:

• Brain network instability in ASD arises from specific connectivity patterns and metabolic costs.
• Understanding these network dynamics is crucial for addressing cognitive impairments in autism.
• The global workspace model offers insights into the neurocognitive basis of ASD-related connectivity issues.