Atypical Resting-State Functional Connectivity of Intra/Inter-Sensory Networks is Related to Symptom Severity in Young Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder, has been reported with an altered brain connectivity pattern in the sensory network using resting-state functional magnetic imaging (rs-fMRI) compared to typical developing participants (TDs). However, there is still no consistent conclusion. In the current study, we investigated the alterations of the intra-network and inter-network connectivity pattern relating to sensory in children with ASD compared with TDs, and further assessed whether these alterations are associated with autistic behavioral symptoms. Methods rs-fMRI was used to assess young boys with ASD (N=29) and TD (N=29), aged 3-7-years. Groups were matched for age and handiness. Spatial patterns of the sensory rest state networks (RSNs) were obtained using group Independent component analysis (ICA) method, and between-groups differences were evaluated within each sensory network. Then, the time series of each RSN were extracted from each participant preprocessed data. Correlation analysis was assessed among intra- and inter-network functional connectivity (FC) and symptom severity in children with ASD. Results Four sensory components were identified, including auditory network (AN), higher visual network (HVN), primary visual network (PVN) and sensorimotor network (SMN). Functional images revealed two sensory networks exhibiting significant increased FCs in ASD group, located within AN and SMN. Higher positive connectivity between PVN and HVN in ASD group is associated with symptom severity. Conclusion Current study might shed light that the abnormal connectivity patterns of sensory network regions may underlie impaired higher-order multisensory integration in ASD children, and social impairment of ASD are caused probably by aberrant FCs involving inter/intra- sensory network.