Oscillatory neural networks underlying resting-state, attentional control and social cognition task conditions in...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders with overlapping symptoms and frequent co-occurrence.
• Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of ASD and ADHD, particularly their shared and distinct neural network alterations, is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
• Large-scale neural network dysfunctions are hypothesized to be a core deficit in both ASD and ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate similarities and differences in large-scale oscillatory neural networks in boys with ASD, ADHD, co-occurring ASD+ADHD, and typical development.
• To determine if network alterations in ASD and ADHD are task-dependent or task-independent.
• To elucidate the neurobiological basis of ASD and ADHD and their co-occurrence through network analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized electroencephalography (EEG) data from 8-13-year-old boys in four groups: ASD (n=19), ADHD (n=18), ASD+ADHD (n=29), and Controls (n=26).
• Computed oscillatory neural networks using graph-theoretical methods during eyes-open resting-state, an attentional control task, and a social cognition task.
• Analyzed EEG data for alterations in oscillatory power and event-related potentials (ERPs) previously reported in these groups.

Main Results:

• Children with ASD exhibited significant large-scale network hypoconnectivity across all tested conditions.
• Children with ADHD showed significant hyperconnectivity during attentional and social cognition tasks, but not during rest.
• Children with co-occurring ASD+ADHD displayed both ASD-like hypoconnectivity and ADHD-like hyperconnectivity, indicating a combined pattern.

Conclusions:

• ASD and ADHD are characterized by distinct alterations in large-scale oscillatory neural networks.
• These network atypicalities are task-independent in ASD but task-related in ADHD.
• The distinct network profiles observed in ASD and ADHD manifest concurrently in individuals with both disorders, potentially explaining shared neurocognitive deficits.