Patterns of Atypical Functional Connectivity and Behavioral Links in Autism Differ Between Default, Salience, and Executive Networks.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by atypical brain network organization, but findings have been inconsistent. While methodological and maturational factors have been considered, the network specificity of connectivity abnormalities remains incompletely understood. We investigated intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) for four "core" functional networks-default-mode (DMN), salience (SN), and left (lECN) and right executive control (rECN). Resting-state functional MRI data from 75 children and adolescents (37 ASD, 38 typically developing [TD]) were included. Functional connectivity within and between networks was analyzed for regions of interest (ROIs) and whole brain, compared between groups, and correlated with behavioral scores. ROI analyses showed overconnectivity (ASD > TD), especially between DMN and ECN. Whole-brain results were mixed. While predominant overconnectivity was found for DMN (posterior cingulate seed) and rECN (right inferior parietal seed), predominant underconnectivity was found for SN (right anterior insula seed) and lECN (left inferior parietal seed). In the ASD group, reduced SN integrity was associated with sensory and sociocommunicative symptoms. In conclusion, atypical connectivity in ASD is network-specific, ranging from extensive overconnectivity (DMN, rECN) to extensive underconnectivity (SN, lECN). Links between iFC and behavior differed between groups. Core symptomatology in the ASD group was predominantly related to connectivity within the salience network.
Brain Development Imaging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
Angela E
AE
Abbott
Brain Development Imaging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
Aarti
A
Nair
Brain Development Imaging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
Christopher L
CL
Keown
Brain Development Imaging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
Michael
M
Datko
Brain Development Imaging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA Computational Science Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
Afrooz
A
Jahedi
Brain Development Imaging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
Inna
I
Fishman
Brain Development Imaging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
Ralph-Axel
RA
Müller
D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D063132:Connectome; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D012146:Rest
autism spectrum disorder; default-mode network; executive control network; functional connectivity; salience network