Resting-state EEG connectome topology and social norm processing in healthy young adults

Resting-state network topology may provide a powerful framework for understanding how large-scale brain organisation supports cognitive functions. However, the topological correlates of social cognition remain poorly characterised. This study examined whether individual differences in social cognition are associated with the global topology of the resting-state functional connectome derived from high-density EEG across canonical frequency bands. Twenty-eight healthy young adults underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, including measures of global cognition, theory of mind, empathy, and social norm processing. High-density eyes-closed resting EEG was acquired, and source-reconstructed connectivity matrices were estimated using the phase-locking value. For each frequency band, global graph-theoretical measures of segregation (average clustering coefficient, CC), integration (characteristic path length, CPL), and small-worldness were computed. We found selective associations between network topology and the intrapersonal component of social norm processing. Higher intrapersonal norm scores were related to lower CC and longer CPL, predominantly in the theta and alpha bands. These relationships held after controlling for demographic variables and were supported by multivariate analyses. No other social cognition measures showed equally significant associations with resting-state EEG topology. These findings suggest that individual variability in intrapersonal social norm processing may be associated with differences in the global organisation of the intrinsic functional connectome and highlight the relevance of investigating normative aspects of social cognition within a resting-state connectomics framework.