Dynamic functional connectivity analysis reveals decreased variability of the default-mode network in developing...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Abnormal functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) is implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) social-cognitive deficits.
• Previous studies often used static connectivity, overlooking temporal dynamics crucial for understanding DMN dysfunction in ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) of the DMN in young children with ASD using resting-state fMRI.
• To identify distinct temporal states of brain connectivity and their association with social deficits in ASD.

Main Methods:

• Applied dynamic functional connectivity analysis with sliding time windows to resting-state fMRI data from 28 children with ASD and 29 typically developing (TD) controls.
• Utilized k-means cluster analysis to identify distinct temporal connectivity states.

Main Results:

• Children with ASD exhibited reduced dFC variance between the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the right precentral gyrus compared to TD controls.
• This reduced variance negatively correlated with social motivation and social relating scores.
• Cluster analysis revealed significant differences in dFC patterns between ASD and TD groups across discrete temporal states.

Conclusions:

• Atypical dynamic interactions involving the PCC and sensorimotor cortex are associated with social deficits in young children with ASD.
• Aberrations in DMN dynamic connectivity contribute to social-cognitive impairments in ASD.
• Analyzing dynamic neural interactions offers valuable insights into functional brain abnormalities in ASD.