28458
Electrophysiological Markers of Resting-State Neural Network Abnormalities in Children with ASD, ADHD, and Co-Occurring ASD+ADHD

Poster Presentation
Saturday, May 12, 2018: 11:30 AM-1:30 PM
Hall Grote Zaal (de Doelen ICC Rotterdam)
E. Shephard1, C. Tye2, K. L. Ashwood3, B. Azadi4, M. H. Johnson5, P. Asherson6, G. McLoughlin7 and P. Bolton2, (1)Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, (2)Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom, (3)Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom, (4)Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom, (5)Centre of Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, United Kingdom, (6)King's College London, London, United Kingdom, (7)King's College London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently co-occur but the reasons for this overlap are unclear. Abnormalities in oscillatory functional neural networks have been associated with ASD and ADHD, and may help to disentangle the neurobiological basis of these disorders and their co-occurrence. However, no previous work has compared oscillatory neural networks between ASD, ADHD, and co-occurring ASD and ADHD (ASD+ADHD).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify similarities and differences in resting-state oscillatory functional neural networks in children with ASD, ADHD, co-occurring ASD+ADHD, and typically developing control children.

Methods: Resting-state electrophysiological recordings were collected from boys with ASD (n = 19), ADHD (n = 18), ASD+ADHD (n = 29), and typical development (TD, n = 26). Oscillatory neural networks in delta (1-3Hz), theta (4-8Hz), alpha (8-12Hz), and beta (12-20Hz) frequencies were compared between groups using graph theoretical methods.

Results: Children with ASD showed a hypoconnected theta network and reduced local theta network inter-connectedness compared to children with ADHD, and ASD symptoms predicted greater hypoconnectivity in theta and beta networks. In contrast, children with ADHD showed widespread hyperconnectivity in theta and beta frequencies compared to TD and ASD children and limited theta fronto-posterior hypoconnectivity compared to TD. ADHD symptoms predicted greater hyperconnectivity. Children with ASD+ADHD showed theta network hyperconnectivity compared to TD and beta network hypoconnectivity compared to TD and ADHD children.

Conclusions: Children with ASD and ADHD were dissociable based on abnormalities in resting-state oscillatory networks, while children with ASD+ADHD showed evidence of both ASD-related hypoconnectivity and ADHD-related hyperconnectivity. These findings suggest ASD and ADHD are associated with distinct neurobiological atypicalities, which manifest together in co-occurring ASD+ADHD.

See more of: Brain Function (fMRI, fcMRI, MRS, EEG, ERP, MEG)
See more of: Brain Function (fMRI, fcMRI, MRS, EEG, ERP, MEG)