Open AccessExploring the social cognition network in young adults with autism spectrum disorder using graph analysis
Author(s) -
Vagnetti Roberto,
Pino Maria Chiara,
Masedu Francesco,
Peretti Sara,
Le Donne Ilenia,
Rossi Rodolfo,
Valenti Marco,
Mazza Monica
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.1524
Subject(s) - autism spectrum disorder , betweenness centrality , cognition , theory of mind , psychology , graph theory , social cognition , construct (python library) , autism , power graph analysis , graph , cognitive psychology , developmental psychology , computer science , theoretical computer science , mathematics , centrality , neuroscience , computer network , combinatorics
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by an impairment in social cognition (SC). SC is a cognitive construct that refers to the capacity to process information about social situations. It is a complex network that includes distinct components. Exploring how SC components work together leads to a better understanding of how their interactions promote adequate social functioning. Our main goal was to use a novel statistical method, graph theory, to analyze SC relationships in ASD and Typically Developing (TD) individuals. Methods We applied graph theory to SC measures to verify how the SC components interact and to establish which of them are important within the interacting SC network for TD and ASD groups. Results The results showed that, in the TD group, the SC nodes are connected; their network showed increased betweenness among nodes, especially for the Theory of Mind. By contrast, in the SC network in the ASD group the nodes are highly disconnected, and the efficient connection among the components is absent. Conclusion ASD adults do not show SC competencies and functional communication among these skills. Under this regard, specific components are crucial, suggesting they could represent critical domains for ASD SC.