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Dynamic functional connectivity analysis reveals decreased variability of the default‐mode network in developing autistic brain
Author(s) -
He Changchun,
Chen Yanchi,
Jian Taorong,
Chen Heng,
Guo Xiaonan,
Wang Jia,
Wu Lijie,
Chen Huafu,
Duan Xujun
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
autism research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.656
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1939-3806
pISSN - 1939-3792
DOI - 10.1002/aur.2020
Subject(s) - dynamic functional connectivity , default mode network , autism , autism spectrum disorder , posterior cingulate , psychology , functional magnetic resonance imaging , neuroscience , resting state fmri , functional integration , functional neuroimaging , precentral gyrus , cognition , social cognition , neuroimaging , temporal cortex , developmental psychology , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , mathematical analysis , mathematics , integral equation , radiology
Accumulating neuroimaging evidence suggests that abnormal functional connectivity of the default mode network (DMN) contributes to the social‐cognitive deficits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although most previous studies relied on conventional functional connectivity methods, which assume that connectivity patterns remain constant over time, understanding the temporal dynamics of functional connectivity during rest may provide new insights into the dysfunction of the DMN in ASD. In this work, dynamic functional connectivity analysis based on sliding time window correlation was applied to the resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of 28 young children with ASD (age range: 3–7 years) and 29 matched typically developing controls (TD group). In addition, k ‐means cluster analysis was performed to identify distinct temporal states based on the spatial similarity of each functional connectivity pattern. Compared with the TD group, young children with ASD showed decreased dynamic functional connectivity variance between the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the right precentral gyrus, which is negatively correlated with social motivation and social relating. Cluster analysis revealed significant differences in functional connectivity patterns between the ASD and TD groups in discrete temporal states. Our findings reveal that atypical dynamic interactions between the PCC and sensorimotor cortex are associated with social deficits in ASD. Results also highlight the critical role of PCC in the social‐cognitive deficits of ASD and support the concept that understanding the dynamic neural interactions among brain regions can provide insights into functional abnormalities in ASD. Autism Research 2018, 11: 1479–1493 . © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay Summary Social cognitive dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with dysfunction of the default mode network (DMN), a set of brain areas involved in various domains of social processing. We found that decreases in the dynamic functional connectivity variance between the posterior cingulate cortex and the sensorimotor cortex are associated with deficits in social motivation and social relating in young children with ASD. This result suggests that aberrations in the DMN and its dynamic interactions with other networks contribute to atypical integration of information with respect to self and others.