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

Abstract

Objective Underconnectivity 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.Methods In this study, 31 ASD children aged 2–11 years were compared with 31 age and sex-matched children showing typical development. 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.Results Underconnectivities within the posterior default mode network subregions and between the inferior parietal lobule and inferior 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 preschool-age children (2–6 years) with ASD, the anterior-posterior connectivity of the default mode network and cerebellar connectivity were reduced.Conclusion The 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.

Conduction Velocity, G-ratio, and Extracellular Water as Microstructural Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…This pattern is potentially present in early childhood, as a recent study by Yoon et al (2022) found lower network efficiencies and reduced longer-range anterior-posterior resting-state connectivity in 2-6 year-olds with ASD [13]. Results from functional connectivity studies led to the development of a cortical underconnectivity theory, which postulated that the observed differences resulted from a deficiency in the presence or function of longer-range distal connections and an overreliance on shorter-range or local connections [15][16][17].…”

“…A mega-analysis of nearly 2,000 individuals between 5-58 years old found that hypoconnectivity of the sensory and attentional network and hyperconnectivity between cortical and subcortical systems were associated with clinically relevant autistic features such as social impairments, repetitive behavior, and sensory processing 11 . This pattern is potentially present in early childhood, as a recent study by Yoon et al (2022) found lower network efficiencies and reduced longer-range anterior-posterior resting-state connectivity in 2-6 year-olds with ASD…”

“…Connectomic Differences in ASD: Altered functional connectivity in the brain is a widely noted feature of ASD. However, functional connectivity alterations are not uniform across the brain and are associated with a brain-wide pattern of hypo-and hyperconnectivity depending on the active region being examined [11][12][13][14].…”

“…Connectomic Differences in ASD: Altered functional connectivity in the brain is a widely noted feature of ASD. However, functional connectivity alterations are not uniform across the brain and are associated with a brain-wide pattern of hypo-and hyperconnectivity depending on the active region being examined [11][12][13][14] . A mega-analysis of nearly 2,000 individuals between 5-58 years old found that hypoconnectivity of the sensory and attentional network and hyperconnectivity between cortical and subcortical systems were associated with clinically relevant autistic features such as social impairments, repetitive behavior, and sensory processing 11 .…”

Abnormal gray matter volume and functional connectivity patterns in social cognition‐related brain regions of young children with autism spectrum disorder

“…Similar to our results, one study showed no significant differences in the global topological properties within the DMN of children with ASD compared to children with TD (Chen et al, 2021). While another study reported a lower local efficiency reduction and higher global efficiency in brain networks of children and adolescents with ASD (Rudie et al, 2012; Yoon et al, 2022). In addition, (Alaerts et al, 2015) found a reduced global and local efficiency of the ASD group, suggesting that the brain network in ASD has underconnectivity, and disrupted efficiency.…”