31875
Behavioral and EEG Abnormalities during Cognitive Control and Visual Perception in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Objectives: Here we use EEG to investigate the temporal dynamics and the network properties of the brain connections associated with behavioral differences in ASD during rest, visual perception of gratings of varying spatial frequency, and cognitive control (i.e., Simon Task).
Methods: Young adults with and without ASD (N=17 in each group) matched on age, gender, and estimated intelligence quotient (IQ) were recruited. We measured their behavior and their EEG during rest, a low-level visual perception task, and a cognitive control task. Offline, we computed EEG power and inter-site phase clustering (ISPC; a measure of connectivity) in various frequency bands, as well as visual Event Related Potentials (ERPs).
Results: During rest, there were no ASD vs. controls differences in EEG power, suggesting typical oscillation at baseline. During visual processing, we found a decreased broadband EEG power in ASD vs. controls pre-baseline normalization that we interpret as an indication of higher efficiency in visual processing in ASD. We also found decreased P2 ERP amplitude in ASD vs. controls during visual processing, which may suggest higher ability to ignore irrelevant aspects of stimuli. This ability to ignore irrelevant aspects of stimuli was most apparent with the behavioral results of the Simon task (i.e., reverse Simon effect in controls but not in ASD participants) and is consistent with an increased fluid intelligence in ASD.
Conclusions: Our results of (1) typical EEG at rest, (2) decreased interference to irrelevant stimuli during the Simon task, and (3) enhanced efficiency of visual processing in ASD vs. controls demonstrate areas of strength in the cognitive profile of autistic young adults.