Open AccessLinked Social–Communication Dimensions and Connectivity in Functional Brain Networks in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Author(s) -
Jinming Xiao,
Huafu Chen,
Xiaolong Shan,
Changchun He,
Yongdong Wang,
Xiaonan Guo,
Heng Chen,
Wei Liao,
Lucina Q. Uddin,
Xujun Duan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cerebral cortex
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.694
H-Index - 250
eISSN - 1460-2199
pISSN - 1047-3211
DOI - 10.1093/cercor/bhab057
Subject(s) - autism spectrum disorder , psychology , autism , connectome , social communication , social relation , default mode network , cognitive psychology , association (psychology) , perception , neuroscience , developmental psychology , cognition , functional connectivity , social psychology , psychotherapist
Much recent attention has been directed toward elucidating the structure of social interaction-communication dimensions and whether and how these symptom dimensions coalesce with each other in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the underlying neurobiological basis of these symptom dimensions is unknown, especially the association of social interaction and communication dimensions with brain networks. Here, we proposed a method of whole-brain network-based regression to identify the functional networks linked to these symptom dimensions in a large sample of children with ASD. Connectome-based predictive modeling (CPM) was established to explore neurobiological evidence that supports the merging of communication and social interaction deficits into one symptom dimension (social/communication deficits). Results showed that the default mode network plays a core role in communication and social interaction dimensions. A primary sensory perceptual network mainly contributed to communication deficits, and high-level cognitive networks mainly contributed to social interaction deficits. CPM revealed that the functional networks associated with these symptom dimensions can predict the merged dimension of social/communication deficits. These findings delineate a link between brain functional networks and symptom dimensions for social interaction and communication and further provide neurobiological evidence supporting the merging of communication and social interaction deficits into one symptom dimension.