Edge-centric functional network analyses reveal disrupted network configuration in autism spectrum disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Brain Imaging
• Systems Biology

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms are linked to large-scale brain network dysfunctions, not isolated regions.
• Analyzing brain network interactions offers insights into complex system organization and function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in brain network functional connectivity between individuals with ASD and healthy controls (HCs).
• To identify specific brain regions and connections affected in ASD using resting-state fMRI.

Main Methods:

• Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 238 ASD patients and 311 HCs.
• Calculated edge functional connectivity (eFC) with the thalamus as a central mediating node.

Main Results:

• ASD subjects showed abnormal connectivity in the thalamus, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, pallidum, and hippocampus compared to HCs.
• Alterations in eFC involving the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and middle temporal gyrus (MTG) were observed in ASD.
• ASD participants exhibited variable eFC characteristics across different brain networks.

Conclusions:

• Observed brain region changes in ASD may stem from reward system disturbances, causing altered functional connection coherence.
• These findings suggest a distinct functional network feature between cortical and subcortical regions in ASD individuals.