自闭症谱系障碍儿童异常的脑功能连接——来自静息态EEG的证据

Atypical Functional Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder Children—A Resting-State EEG Study

摘要: 自闭症谱系障碍(Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD)是一种特殊的神经发育障碍，近年来其发病率陡增，但病因成谜。现有的脑功能连接研究发现，ASD患者的半球间的长距离连接普遍降低，但半球内的长距离连接和短距离连接模式仍存在较大争议。因此本研究采用时间分辨率高、预测力较高的脑电技术，探究ASD儿童大脑半球内长距离连接和短距离连接异常模式。本研究采集了21名ASD和17名正常儿童的闭眼静息状态下的脑电数据，结果显示，ASD儿童Alpha频段的绝对功率和相对功率减弱，而Delta和Gamma频段的相对功率增强，总体呈现U型曲线趋势。此外，本研究发现ASD儿童Alpha频段的半球内长距离连接降低，Alpha和Gamma频段的短距离连接增强，呈现出低频段长距离连接增强，高频段短距离连接减弱的模式。该结果揭示ASD儿童存在异常的神经震荡和大脑连接模式，为全面了解ASD群体认知加工底层神经机制提供一定基础。

Abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder mainly by difficulties in social interaction and communication. Studies have suggested mixed patterns of intrahemispheric long-range and short-range functional connectivity. Anomalies in EEG coherence and power have been associated with deficits in executive function and mental activity. The current study aimed to access the patterns of spectral EEG power and intrahemispheric long-distance and local coherence in ASD. The present study examined neuronal activation and functional connectivity with EEG, in 21 ASD and 17 typical developing (TD) children ages 6 - 13, during an eyes-closed resting state. Differences in cerebral functioning were examined using measurements of absolute and relative power and intrahemispheric long-range and short-range coherence. Children with ASD demonstrated reduced absolute and relative alpha power and reduced absolute theta power. ASD children also displayed greater relative power in delta and gamma bands compared with the controls, which supports the previous U-shaped pattern of spectral power in ASD. In addition, the patterns of intrahemispheric long-range under connectivity in alpha band and local over connectivity in alpha and gamma bands were revealed in the current study. Thus, the results suggest that children with ASD exhibit atypical patterns of brain activity and functional connectivity compared to TD children.