Connectivity Theory of Autism: Use of Connectivity Measures in Assessing and Treating Autistic Disorders

Coben, Robert; Myers, Thomas E.

doi:10.1080/10874200802398824

Cited by 26 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Recently, evidence has been accumulating in support of a connectivity theory of autism (Alexander et al 2007;Boger-Megiddo et al 2006;Coben et al 2008;Coben and Myers 2009;Chung et al 2004;Courchesne and Pierce 2005;Courchesne et al 1993Just et al 2007;Murias et al 2007;Vidal et al 2006). Coherence training is a direct application to address these findings, which are backed by numerous empirical studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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The Relative Efficacy of Connectivity Guided and Symptom Based EEG Biofeedback for Autistic Disorders

Coben¹,

Myers²

2009

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback

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Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication, social interaction, and a limited range of interests with repetitive stereotypical behavior. Various abnormalities have been documented in the brains of individuals with autism, both anatomically and functionally. The connectivity theory of autism is a recently developed theory of the neurobiological cause of autisic symptoms. Different patterns of hyper- and hypo-connectivity have been identified with the use of quantitative electroencephalogray (QEEG), which may be amenable to neurofeedback. In this study, we compared the results of two published controlled studies examining the efficacy of neurofeedback in the treatment of autism. Specifically, we examined whether a symptom based approach or an assessment/connectivity guided based approach was more effective. Although both methods demonstrated significant improvement in symptoms of autism, connectivity guided neurofeedback demonstrated greater reduction on various subscales of the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). Furthermore, when individuals were matched for severity of symptoms, the amount of change per session was significantly higher in the Coben and Padolsky (J Neurother 11:5-23, 2007) study for all five measures of the ATEC. Our findings suggest that an approach guided by QEEG based connectivity assessment may be more efficacious in the treatment of autism. This permits the targeting and amelioration of abnormal connectivity patterns in the brains of people who are autistic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Coben and Myers (2009) outlined seven patterns of abnormal connectivity in autistic spectrum disorders; some hyper-and some hypo-connected. Theoretically, any individual may present with between one and seven of these abnormalities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relative Efficacy of Connectivity Guided and Symptom Based EEG Biofeedback for Autistic Disorders

Coben¹,

Myers²

2009

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback

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“…In over 83% of the individuals with autism connectivity anomalies could be identified when compared to the normal control group. Coben and Myers (2008) have been able to utilize QEEG multivariate connectivity data to develop a typology of autism connectivity patterns. Patterns of hyperconnectivity were identified across bilateral frontotemporal regions and between left hemisphere locations, while hypoconnectivity may involve orbitofrontal, frontal to posterior, right posterior or left hemisphere sites.…”

Section: Qeeg Evaluation and Autistic Spectrum Disordermentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurofeedback for Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Review of the Literature

Coben¹,

Linden

Myers

2009

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback

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146

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There is a need for effective interventions to address the core symptoms and problems associated with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Behavior therapy improves communication and behavioral functioning. Additional treatment options include psychopharmacolog-ical and biomedical interventions. Although these approaches help children with autistic problems, they may be associated with side effects, risks or require ongoing or long-term treatment. Neurofeedback is a noninvasive approach shown to enhance neuroregulation and metabolic function in ASD. We present a review of the literature on the application of Neurofeedback to the multiple problems associated with ASD. Directions for future research are discussed.

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“…We would prescribe our increased success and lack of negative effects to our use of personalized QEEG analysis to plan and carry out neurofeedback, resulting in far greater reductions. Similarly, Coben and Myers (2008) have recently compared data from their connectivity-guided EEG biofeedback study to Jarusiewicz's (2002) earlier symptom-based neurofeedback investigation. The results of this analysis indicated that connectivity-guided EEG biofeedback accomplished, on average, a full standard deviation greater improvement as compared to symptom-based neurofeedback, while still preventing any unwanted effects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Connectivity-Guided EEG Biofeedback for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence of Neurophysiological Changes

Coben¹,

Sherlin²,

Hudspeth³

et al. 2014

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Recent studies have linked neural coherence deficits with impairments associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The current study tested the hypothesis that lowering neural hyperconnectivity would lead to decreases in autistic symptoms. Subjects underwent connectivity-guided EEG biofeedback, which has been previously found to enhance neuropsychological functioning and to lessen autistic symptoms. Significant reductions in neural coherence across frontotemporal regions and source localized power changes were evident in frontal, temporal, and limbic regions following this treatment. Concurrently, there were significant improvements on objective neuropsychological tests and parents reported positive gains (decreases in symptoms) following the treatment. These findings further validate EEG biofeedback as a therapeutic modality for autistic children and suggest that changes in coherence anomalies may be related to the mechanism of action.

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Connectivity Theory of Autism: Use of Connectivity Measures in Assessing and Treating Autistic Disorders

Cited by 26 publications

References 68 publications

The Relative Efficacy of Connectivity Guided and Symptom Based EEG Biofeedback for Autistic Disorders

The Relative Efficacy of Connectivity Guided and Symptom Based EEG Biofeedback for Autistic Disorders

Neurofeedback for Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Review of the Literature

Connectivity-Guided EEG Biofeedback for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence of Neurophysiological Changes

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