Open AccessDysmaturation of the default mode network in autism
Author(s) -
Washington Stuart D.,
Gordon Evan M.,
Brar Jasmit,
Warburton Samantha,
Sawyer Alice T.,
Wolfe Amanda,
MeaseFerence Erin R.,
Girton Laura,
Hailu Ayichew,
Mbwana Juma,
Gaillard William D.,
Kalbfleisch M. Layne,
VanMeter John W.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.22252
Subject(s) - default mode network , disconnection , autism spectrum disorder , psychology , neuroscience , autism , resting state fmri , theory of mind , functional connectivity , cognitive psychology , functional magnetic resonance imaging , set (abstract data type) , cognition , developmental psychology , computer science , political science , law , programming language
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. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1284–1296, 2014 . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.