QEEG characteristics and spectrum weighted frequency for children diagnosed as autistic spectrum disorder

Abstract

BackgroundAutistic spectrum disorders are a group of neurological and developmental disorders associated with social, communication, sensory, behavioral and cognitive impairments, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, activities, or interests.The aim of this study was a) to analyze QEEG findings of autistic patients and to compare the results with data base; and b) to introduce the calculation of spectrum weighted frequency (brain rate) as an indicator of general mental arousal in these patients.ResultsResults for Q-EEG shows generally increased delta-theta activity in frontal region of the brain. Changes in QEEG pattern appeared to be in a non-linear correlation with maturational processes.Brain rate measured in CZ shows slow brain activity (5. 86) which is significantly lower than normal and corresponds to low general mental arousal.Recent research has shown that autistic disorders have as their basis disturbances of neural connectivity. Neurofeedback seems capable of remediating such disturbances when these data are considered as part of treatment planning.ConclusionsPrognosis of this pervasive disorder depends on the intellectual abilities: the better intellectual functioning, the possibilities for life adaptation are higherQEEG shows generally increased delta-theta activity in frontal region of the brain which is related to poor cognitive abilities.Brain rate measured in CZ shows slow brain activity related to under arousal.Pharmacotherapy combined with behavior therapy, social support and especially neurofeedback technique promise slight improvements

On the Application of Quantitative EEG for Characterizing Autistic Brain: A Systematic Review

“…Studies performed in an eye-open rest condition present some replicated finding, i.e., the constant increase on delta power in ASD with respect to controls and the decrease in high frequency, especially alpha in childhood and adolescents (Cantor et al, 1986; Chan et al, 2007; Stroganova et al, 2007; Pop-Jordanova et al, 2010), but also some contradictory results. The power of alpha band in ASD, with respect to typical controls, was found to be reduced (Cantor et al, 1986; Chan et al, 2007), unchanged (Stroganova et al, 2007), or even increased (Mathewson et al, 2012) in different studies.…”

“…In closed-eyes condition, results are even more contradictory both in terms of power and coherence (Murias et al, 2007; Coben et al, 2008; Pop-Jordanova et al, 2010; Mathewson et al, 2012). Except for the study of Pop-Jordanova et al (2010), which do not define the cognitive level, all these studies enrolled high-functioning individuals.…”

“…Except for the study of Pop-Jordanova et al (2010), which do not define the cognitive level, all these studies enrolled high-functioning individuals. In addition, two studies (Murias et al, 2007; Mathewson et al, 2012) have been performed on adults, whereas one investigation (Coben et al, 2008) on scholar children and another (Pop-Jordanova et al, 2010) on pre-scholar children. This suggests again that the different age range of the subjects participating to the different studies may at least in part influence the results.…”

“…In a more recent study (Pop-Jordanova et al, 2010) both the open-eyes and the closed-eyes conditions were investigated. In this study EEG data obtained on ASD children were compared to data belonging to neurotypical subjects contained in a database.…”

Connecting Electroencephalography Profiles with the Gamma-Amino-Butyric Acid (GABA) Neuropathology of Autism as a Prelude to Treatment

“…One advantage of this method is that it can be widely applied, is less costly as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and less invasive than Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Thus far, the qEEG analyses in autistic individuals showed aberrant activity in the frontal lobe (Pop-Jordanova et al, 2010). The authors have collected qEEG brain maps for both an autistic and a control subject during resting states using the same system as Pop-Jordanova et al (2010)(i.e., BrainMaster amplifier and NeuroGuide software) .…”