Developmental changes in neuromagnetic rhythms and network synchrony in autism.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

• Altered brain connectivity is a recognized feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Atypical neural oscillations and their coordination are implicated in information processing deficits in ASD.
• The developmental trajectory of neurophysiological connectivity in ASD remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate atypical development of brain connectivity across neurophysiological frequency ranges in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• To examine age-related changes in resting-state oscillatory power and functional connectivity in children and adolescents with and without ASD.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) was recorded from 134 children and adolescents (with and without ASD).
• Resting spectral power and inter-regional synchrony (functional connectivity) were calculated.
• Linear and nonlinear age-related changes were analyzed for group differences.

Main Results:

• No overall group differences in connectivity were observed.
• Significant, frequency- and region-specific alterations were found in the age-related changes of oscillatory power and network synchrony.
• These alterations implicated brain regions like the frontal cortex and cerebellum.
• Idiosyncratic cerebellar network synchrony correlated with Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule scores.

Conclusions:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) brain function is characterized by atypical developmental trajectories (curvatures) in neurophysiological oscillations and synchrony.
• These idiosyncratic patterns of network synchrony, relative to typical development, are associated with ASD behavioral symptoms.
• This study provides novel insights into the maturational processes underlying brain network alterations in ASD.