Disruption to control network function correlates with altered dynamic connectivity in the wider autism spectrum

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition characterized by significant heterogeneity in clinical presentation and co-occurring neuropsychiatric symptoms.
• Existing research often examines brain organization in isolation, potentially missing complex network dynamics relevant to ASD's diverse manifestations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whole-brain functional organization at multiple levels simultaneously in a large, diverse group of individuals with autism.
• To perform the first network-based analysis of transient brain states, or dynamic connectivity, in autism.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a large subject group reflecting the clinical diversity of autism.
• Employed network-based analysis to examine dynamic connectivity and transient brain states.
• Analyzed functional organization across multiple levels of the whole brain.

Main Results:

• Disruptions in inter-network and inter-system connectivity were more prominent than within-network alterations.
• Identified disrupted coupling along the anterior-posterior default mode network axis.
• Found specific disruptions between control networks (right fronto-parietal, cingulo-opercular) and default mode network subsystems, impacting task initiation and maintenance.
• Observed dampened oscillations between brain states and altered dynamic connectivity configurations in individuals with autism.

Conclusions:

• The findings highlight the importance of disrupted network interactions in autism, rather than isolated regional deficits.
• Specific connectivity motifs, particularly involving the default mode and control networks, may serve as candidate neuroimaging biomarkers for heterogeneous autism populations.
• This network-centric approach provides a novel framework for understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder.