Abstract
Neuroimaging studies have shown that autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may be associated with abnormalities in brain structures and functions at rest as well as during cognitive tasks. However, it remains unclear if functional connectivity (FC) of all brain neural networks is also changed in these subjects. In this study, we acquired functional magnetic resonance imaging scans from 93 children with ASD and 79 matched healthy subjects. Group independent component analysis was executed for all of the participants to estimate FC. One-sample t-tests were then performed to obtain the networks for each group. Group differences in the different brain networks were tested using two-sample t-tests. Finally, relationships between abnormal FC and clinical variables were investigated with Pearson’s correlation analysis. The results from one-sample t-tests revealed nine networks with similar spatial patterns in these two groups. When compared with the controls, children with ASD showed increased connectivity in the right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus and left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) within the occipital pole network. Children with ASD also showed decreased connectivity in the left gyrus rectus, left middle occipital gyrus, right angular gyrus, right MFG and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), orbital part within the lateral visual network (LVN), the left IFG, right precuneus, and right angular gyrus within the left frontoparietal (cognition) network. Furthermore, the mean FC values within the LVN showed significant positive correlations with total score of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Our findings indicate that abnormal FC extensively exists within some networks in children with ASD. This abnormal FC may constitute a biomarker of ASD. Our results are an important contribution to the study of neuropathophysiological mechanisms in children with ASD.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) include a range of developmental disorders with a variety of clinical presentations characterized by impairments in the following: (1) social-communication and (2) restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013)
In this study, using group Independent component analysis (ICA), we found nine different neural networks in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and healthy subjects, and the two different groups had similar spatial patterns of these networks
functional connectivity (FC) was altered within the occipital pole network (OPN), lateral visual network (LVN) and left frontoparietal (perceived) network (FPN) between the two groups
Summary
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) include a range of developmental disorders with a variety of clinical presentations characterized by impairments in the following: (1) social-communication and (2) restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). Neural Networks in Children With ASD in presenting behavior and history of cognitive development (Bent et al, 2017). Identification of the cause, accurate diagnosis, and early effective intervention are of vital importance to individuals with ASD and society as a whole (Li D. et al, 2017). More and more studies have begun to focus on changes in the brains of patients with ASD. The neurobiological bases underlying the symptoms and etiology in children with ASD are still unclear
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