Abnormalities of EEG Functional Connectivity and Effective Connectivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder impacting brain development.
• Altered brain connectivity is a potential biomarker for identifying ASD.
• Understanding connectivity patterns is crucial for diagnosing and understanding ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate functional and effective brain connectivity in children with ASD compared to typically developed (TD) children.
• To identify potential neural connectivity biomarkers for ASD.
• To explore differences in brain communication pathways in young individuals with ASD.

Main Methods:

• Utilized weighted phase lag index (wPLI) for functional connectivity analysis.
• Employed directed transfer function (DTF) to assess effective connectivity.
• Studied a cohort of 179 children aged 3-10 years (89 with ASD, 90 TD).

Main Results:

• Children with ASD exhibited localized hyper-connectivity within brain regions in functional connectivity.
• A significant decrease in effective connectivity across brain hemispheres was observed in ASD patients.
• Connectivity abnormalities were identified as potential indicators for ASD.

Conclusions:

• Brain connectivity patterns differ significantly between children with ASD and TD peers.
• Specific alterations in functional and effective connectivity may serve as valuable biomarkers for ASD.
• These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the neural underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder.