Alterations in Social Brain Network Topology at Rest in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder br

Article

关键词: HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISM;    DEFAULT MODE NETWORK;    MIRROR NEURON SYSTEM;    CORTICAL ACTIVATION;    EXECUTIVE FUNCTION;    CONNECTIVITY;    IMITATION;    DEFICITS;    FMRI;    CLASSIFICATION;   

DOI  :  10.30773/pi.2022.0174

来源: SCIE

【 摘 要 】

ObjectiveUnderconnectivity in the resting brain is not consistent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it is known that the functional connectivity of the default mode network is mainly decreased in childhood ASD. This study investigated the brain network topology as the changes in the connection strength and network efficiency in childhood ASD, including the early developmental stages.MethodsIn this study, 31 ASD children aged 2-11 years were compared with 31 age and sex-matched children showing typical devel-opment. We explored the functional connectivity based on graph filtration by assessing the single linkage distance and global and nodal efficiencies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. The relationship between functional connectivity and clinical scores was also analyzed.ResultsUnderconnectivities within the posterior default mode network subregions and between the inferior parietal lobule and infe-rior frontal/superior temporal regions were observed in the ASD group. These areas significantly correlated with the clinical phenotypes. The global, local, and nodal network efficiencies were lower in children with ASD than in those with typical development. In the pre-school-age children (2-6 years) with ASD, the anterior-posterior connectivity of the default mode network and cerebellar connectivity were reduced.ConclusionThe observed topological reorganization, underconnectivity, and disrupted efficiency in the default mode network subregions and social function-related regions could be significant biomarkers of childhood ASD.Psychiatry Investig 2022;19(12):1055-1068