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的交互作用密切相关。在自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）中，这种功能组织发生了变化。然而，自闭症的异质性特征导致了研究结果的差异性，而基于自闭症认知理论的特定变化模式仍需深入理解。在本研究中，我们假设心智理论（ToM）以及弱中心协调理论在功能交互的网络层面必须遵循一种改变模式。主要目标是通过对所有大脑功能网络之间的交互进行评估，来理解这种模式。此外，还研究了显著改变交互与自闭症认知功能障碍之间的关联。我们使用了106名受试者（5-14岁，46名ASD：5名女性，60名HC：18名女性）的静息态fMRI数据来定义大脑功能网络。通过应用四种分区掩码计算功能网络，并使用它们之间的皮尔逊相关系数估计其交互。随后，基于交互的连接组，为每个掩码形成了一个图。然后，计算了图的本征局部和全局参数。最后，使用双样本t检验进行统计分析，以突出自闭症组和健康对照组之间的显著差异。我们的校正结果显示，默认模式、感觉运动、视觉空间、视觉和语言网络与其他功能网络的交互发生了显著变化，这可以支持自闭症的主要认知理论。我们希望这一发现能够为更好地理解自闭症的神经基础提供启示。