Multi-frequency localization of aberrant brain activity in autism spectrum disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The abnormality of intrinsic brain activity in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is still inconclusive. Contradictory results have been found pointing towards hyper-activity or hypo-activity in various brain regions. The present research aims to investigate the spatial and spectral signatures of aberrant brain activity in an unprecedented frequency range of 1-2884 Hz at source levels in ASD using newly developed methods.


METHODS
Seven ASD subjects and age- and gender-matched controls were studied using a high-sampling rate magnetoencephalography (MEG) system. Brain activity in delta (1-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), beta (12-30 Hz), low gamma (30-55 Hz), high gamma (65-90 Hz), ripples (90-200 Hz), high-frequency oscillations (HFOs, 200-1000 Hz), and very high-frequency oscillations (VHFOs, 1000-2884 Hz) was volumetrically localized and measured using wavelet and beamforming.


RESULTS
In comparison to controls, ASD subjects had significantly higher odds of alpha activity (8-12 Hz) in the sensorimotor cortex (mu rhythm), and generally high-frequency activity (90-2884 Hz) in the frontal cortex. The source power of HFOs (200-1000 Hz) in the frontal cortex in ASD was significantly elevated as compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that ASD has significantly altered intrinsic brain activity in both low- and high-frequency ranges. Increased intrinsic high-frequency activity in the frontal cortex may play a key role in ASD.
MEG Center, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Electronic address: Jing.xiang@cchmc.org.
Jing
J
Xiang
MEG Center, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Functional Brain Mapping and Brain Computer Interface Lab, Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Center, Center for Pediatric Research, Walt Disney Pavilion Florida Hospital for Children, Orlando, FL, USA.
Milena
M
Korostenskaja
Harrison Community Network, Harrison, OH, USA.
Cynthia
C
Molloy
MEG Center, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Xinyao
X
deGrauw
MEG Center, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Kimberly
K
Leiken
Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Carley
C
Gilman
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Jareen
J
Meinzen-Derr
MEG Center, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Hisako
H
Fujiwara
MEG Center, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Douglas F
DF
Rose
Harrison Community Network, Harrison, OH, USA; The Kelly O'Leary Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Terry
T
Mitchell
The Kelly O'Leary Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Autism Treatment Network, Autism Speaks, 85 Devonshire Street, 9th Floor, Boston, MA, USA.
Donna S
DS
Murray
D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D058256:Brain Waves; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015225:Magnetoencephalography; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs); High-frequency oscillations; Intrinsic brain activity; Magnetic source imaging; Magnetoencephalography (MEG); Mu rhythm