Atypical functional brain connectivity during rest in autism spectrum disorders

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Autism Research

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with proposed connectivity atypicalities.
• The default mode network (DMN) is crucial for introspection and social-emotional processing, areas affected in ASD.
• Limited research exists on DMN connectivity in pediatric populations with ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate default mode network (DMN) functional connectivity in children and adolescents with ASD.
• To examine group differences in DMN connectivity related to age and intelligence quotient (IQ).
• To explore the association between DMN connectivity and empathic accuracy in ASD.

Main Methods:

• 115 children/adolescents (71 males with ASD, 44 age-matched TD males) participated.
• Functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and DMN/non-DMN regions was analyzed.
• Group differences in connectivity, age-by-group interactions, and associations with empathic accuracy were assessed.

Main Results:

• ASD group showed altered PCC connectivity with DMN and non-DMN regions compared to controls.
• A significant group-by-age interaction revealed decreased PCC-medial prefrontal cortex connectivity with age in ASD, unlike controls.
• No IQ effects were found, but DMN connectivity differed in its relation to empathic accuracy between groups.

Conclusions:

• Functional connectivity differences in the DMN suggest neural atypicalities impacting ASD development.
• These atypicalities may affect DMN dynamics and social-cognitive abilities in individuals with ASD.