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Resting-state EEG patterns of preschool-aged boys with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study
Qin Zhao1, Yan Luo2, Xinjie Mei2
1Rehabilitation Center for Children with Autism of Chongqing, Department of Child Health Care, Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Beibei, Chongqing, China.
Insights
Preschool boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show distinct brainwave patterns, including reduced delta and increased beta/gamma activity. These neurophysiological differences may underlie cognitive development deficits in early childhood autism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Cognitive development deficits in early childhood are linked to core autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms.
- Limited neurophysiological research exists on the mechanisms behind cognitive disabilities in preschool-aged children with ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare resting spectral electroencephalogram (EEG) power in preschool-aged boys with ASD versus typically developing peers.
- To investigate potential neurophysiological markers associated with cognitive development in early ASD.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study comparing resting spectral EEG power.
- Participants: Preschool-aged boys with ASD and matched typically developing controls.
- Analysis: Absolute and relative power in delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands; theta/beta ratio; correlation with executive function indices (BRIEF-P).
Main Results:
- ASD group showed reduced central/posterior absolute delta and enhanced frontal absolute beta and gamma power.
- Relative power was elevated across delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands in the ASD group.
- Theta/beta ratio decreased frontally and increased at Cz/Pz electrodes in ASD; significant correlations with executive function measures were observed.
Conclusions:
- Preschool-aged boys with ASD exhibit distinct resting spectral EEG characteristics.
- Atypical brain oscillations may contribute to cognitive development challenges in early ASD.
- Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm findings and explore brain oscillation-phenotype relationships in ASD.
Abstract:
Defective cognition development during preschool years is believed to be linked with core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Neurophysiological research on mechanisms underly the cognitive disabilities of preschool-aged children with ASD is scarce currently. This pilot study aimed to compare the resting spectral EEG power of preschool-aged boys with ASD with their matched typically developing peers. Children in the ASD group demonstrated reduced central and posterior absolute delta (1-4 Hz) and enhanced frontal absolute beta (12-30 Hz) and gamma (30-45 Hz). The relative power of the ASD group was elevated in delta, theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), beta, and gamma bands as compared to the controls. The theta/beta ratio decreased in the frontal regions and enhanced at Cz and Pz electrodes in the ASD group. Correlations between the inhibition and metacognition indices of the behavior rating inventory of executive function-preschool version (BRIEF-P) and the theta/beta ratio for children of both groups were significant. In conclusion, the present study revealed atypical resting spectral characteristics of boys with ASD at preschool ages. Future large-sampled studies for the generalization of our findings and a better understanding of the relationships between brain oscillations and phenotypes of ASD are warranted.
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