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Exploratory quantitative EEG characteristics in children with autism spectrum disorder
Marta Kopańska1,2, Danuta Ochojska2,3, Izabela Sarzyńska2,4
1Department of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|November 21, 2025
Summary
Children with mild autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show distinct brainwave patterns, with higher amplitudes across Delta, Theta, Alpha, SMR, Beta1, and Beta2 waves. Beta2-waves are particularly overrepresented in mASD, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) affect approximately 1 in 31 children, necessitating early diagnosis for optimal developmental outcomes.
- Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) is an increasingly valuable electrophysiological tool for diagnosing ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the specific brainwave patterns in children with mild autism spectrum disorder (Level-1) using QEEG.
- To identify potential QEEG markers for screening and diagnosis of mASD in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- QEEG analysis was conducted on 48 children aged 7-10 years, including 24 diagnosed with mild ASD (mASD) and 24 controls.
- Measurements included Delta, Theta, Alpha, SMR, Beta1, and Beta2 wave amplitudes at 13 electrode sites with eyes open and closed.
Main Results:
- Children with mASD exhibited significantly higher amplitude values for all measured brainwave types (Delta, Theta, Alpha, SMR, Beta1, Beta2) compared to controls.
- An overrepresentation of Beta2-waves was specifically observed in the mASD group.
Conclusions:
- The identified QEEG brainwave pattern may serve as a screening tool or diagnostic aid for mASD in children.
- QEEG is crucial for understanding the heterogeneity of ASD by detecting distinct brain activity patterns.
