title: Dysmaturation of the default mode network in autism.
abstract: Two hypotheses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) propose that this condition is characterized by deficits in Theory of Mind and by hypoconnectivity between remote cortical regions with hyperconnectivity locally. The default mode network (DMN) is a set of remote, functionally connected cortical nodes less active during executive tasks than at rest and is implicated in Theory of Mind, episodic memory, and other self-reflective processes. We show that children with ASD have reduced connectivity between DMN nodes and increased local connectivity within DMN nodes and the visual and motor resting-state networks. We show that, like the trajectory of synaptogenesis, internodal DMN functional connectivity increased as a quadratic function of age in typically developing children, peaking between, 11 and 13 years. In children with ASD, these long-distance connections fail to develop during adolescence. These findings support the "developmental disconnection model" of ASD, provide a possible mechanistic explanation for the Theory-of-Mind hypothesis of ASD, and show that the window for effectively treating ASD could be wider than previously thought.
authors: Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia; Department of Neurology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia; Children's National Medical Center, Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia.
authors: Stuart D
authors: SD
authors: Washington
authors: Evan M
authors: EM
authors: Gordon
authors: Jasmit
authors: J
authors: Brar
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Warburton
authors: Alice T
authors: AT
authors: Sawyer
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: Wolfe
authors: Erin R
authors: ER
authors: Mease-Ference
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Girton
authors: Ayichew
authors: A
authors: Hailu
authors: Juma
authors: J
authors: Mbwana
authors: William D
authors: WD
authors: Gaillard
authors: M Layne
authors: ML
authors: Kalbfleisch
authors: John W
authors: JW
authors: VanMeter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Theory of Mind; autism; default mode network; development; functional connectivity; synaptogenesis