Data_Sheet_1_Cognitive theories of autism based on the interactions between brain functional networks.docx

Cognitive functions are directly related to interactions between the brain's functional networks. This functional organization changes in the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the heterogeneous nature of autism brings inconsistency in the findings, and specific pattern of changes based on the cognitive theories of ASD still requires to be well-understood. In this study, we hypothesized that the theory of mind (ToM), and the weak central coherence theory must follow an alteration pattern in the network level of functional interactions. The main aim is to understand this pattern by evaluating interactions between all the brain functional networks. Moreover, the association between the significantly altered interactions and cognitive dysfunctions in autism is also investigated. We used resting-state fMRI data of 106 subjects (5–14 years, 46 ASD: five female, 60 HC: 18 female) to define the brain functional networks. Functional networks were calculated by applying four parcellation masks and their interactions were estimated using Pearson's correlation between pairs of them. Subsequently, for each mask, a graph was formed based on the connectome of interactions. Then, the local and global parameters of the graph were calculated. Finally, statistical analysis was performed using a two-sample t-test to highlight the significant differences between autistic and healthy control groups. Our corrected results show significant changes in the interaction of default mode, sensorimotor, visuospatial, visual, and language networks with other functional networks that can support the main cognitive theories of autism. We hope this finding sheds light on a better understanding of the neural underpinning of autism.

认知功能与大脑功能网络间的交互作用直接相关。该大脑功能组织模式在自闭症谱系障碍（Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD）中会发生改变。然而自闭症具有异质性，导致相关研究结果存在不一致性，且基于自闭症认知理论的特异性改变模式仍有待进一步阐明。本研究提出假设：心理理论（Theory of Mind, ToM）与弱中央统合理论在功能交互的网络层面应存在特定改变模式。本研究的核心目标为通过解析全脑功能网络间的交互作用，阐明上述改变模式；同时探究自闭症中显著改变的交互作用与认知功能障碍之间的关联。本研究纳入106名受试者（年龄5~14岁，其中自闭症谱系障碍组46例：女性5名；健康对照组60例：女性18名）的静息态功能磁共振成像（resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, rs-fMRI）数据，以界定大脑功能网络。研究采用4个脑区分割掩膜计算功能网络，并通过两两网络间的皮尔逊相关系数估算其交互作用。随后，针对每个掩膜，基于交互作用连接组构建脑网络图谱，并计算该图谱的局部与全局拓扑参数。最终，通过两独立样本t检验进行统计分析，以明确自闭症组与健康对照组间的显著差异。经校正后的分析结果显示，默认模式网络、感觉运动网络、视觉空间网络、视觉网络与语言网络与其他功能网络间的交互作用存在显著改变，这一发现可为自闭症的核心认知理论提供支持依据。本研究希望该发现可为深入解析自闭症的神经基础提供新的见解。