Altered Functional Connectivity in a Triple-Network Model in Autism With Co-occurring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Xiaoyu Niu,Ke Li,Kai Wang

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.736755

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore alterations in functional connectivity (FC) within and between default mode network (DMN), central executive network, and salience network in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Method: A total of 135 individuals' date of the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange II was used to compare the ASD+ADHD group with the ASD group in relation to the abnormal within-network and between-network connectivity of the ASD group relative to the TD group; consequently, the correlation analysis between abnormal FC and behavior was performed.Results: The ASD+ADHD group exhibited decreased within-network connectivity in the precuneus of the ventral DMN compared with the ASD group. Among the three groups, the ASD+ADHD group showed lower connectivity, whereas the ASD group had higher connectivity than the TD group, although the effect of the separate post hoc test was not significant. Meanwhile, the ASD+ADHD group showed increased between-network connectivity between the ventral DMN and dorsal DMN and between the ventral DMN and left executive control network, compared with the ASD and TD groups.Conclusion: Dysfunction of DMN in the “triple-network model” is the core evidence for ASD with co-occurring ADHD.

Highlights

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are defined by symptom-based classification
We included data from four sites of an openaccess multi-site image database [Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange II (ABIDE II), http://fcon_1000.projects.nitrc.org/indi/ abide/abide_II.html] with most subjects meeting the following criteria: first, we included individuals with a full-scale IQ and near full-brain coverage structural and rs-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan data and excluded individuals with excessive head motion characterized by a mean framewise displacement (FD) of more than 0.30 mm; we divided the people into two groups (ASD+ADHD and ASD) on the basis of the psychiatric comorbidity information on the ABIDE II website; and from each site, we selected from the included dataset the same number of individuals matching in terms of age- and IQ-matched typical development (TD) with the other two groups
The nine selected independent components (ICs) were subsets of the large six major resting-state networks (RSNs) based on 90 regions of interest (ROIs) relating to the triple-network model identified by a previous study [31]: ICs 2, 12, and 25 were correlated to the dorsal default mode network (DMN); ICs 23 and 29 were correlated to the ventral DMN; IC 24 was correlated to the LECN, IC 28 was correlated to the right executive control network (RECN); IC was correlated to ther anterior salience network (SN); and IC was correlated to the posterior SN (Figure 1A)

Summary

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are defined by symptom-based classification. As described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), ASD exhibits abnormal behavioral symptoms of social/communication deficits and restricted and repetitive behaviors, whereas ADHD is defined by attentional and/or hyperactive/impulsive traits [1]. The new edition of the DSM-5 allows the diagnosis of comorbid ASD and ADHD in clinical practice [2]. Both ASD and ADHD display few clear links between diagnostic criteria and specific neurobiological alterations [3, 4]. There are few publications describing consistent phenotypic variations in people with ASD and co-occurring ADHD.

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Discussion

Conclusion