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Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Published in: Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Neural synchrony examined with magnetoencephalography (MEG) during eye gaze processing in autism spectrum disorders: preliminary findings

Authors: Renée Lajiness-O’Neill, Annette E Richard, John E Moran, Amy Olszewski, Lesley Pawluk, Daniel Jacobson, Alfred Mansour, Kelly Vogt, Laszlo A Erdodi, Aimee M Moore, Susan M Bowyer

Published in: Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Gaze processing deficits are a seminal, early, and enduring behavioral deficit in autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, a comprehensive characterization of the neural processes mediating abnormal gaze processing in ASD has yet to be conducted.

Methods

This study investigated whole-brain patterns of neural synchrony during passive viewing of direct and averted eye gaze in ASD adolescents and young adults (M Age  = 16.6) compared to neurotypicals (NT) (M Age  = 17.5) while undergoing magnetoencephalography. Coherence between each pair of 54 brain regions within each of three frequency bands (low frequency (0 to 15 Hz), beta (15 to 30 Hz), and low gamma (30 to 45 Hz)) was calculated.

Results

Significantly higher coherence and synchronization in posterior brain regions (temporo-parietal-occipital) across all frequencies was evident in ASD, particularly within the low 0 to 15 Hz frequency range. Higher coherence in fronto-temporo-parietal regions was noted in NT. A significantly higher number of low frequency cross-hemispheric synchronous connections and a near absence of right intra-hemispheric coherence in the beta frequency band were noted in ASD. Significantly higher low frequency coherent activity in bilateral temporo-parieto-occipital cortical regions and higher gamma band coherence in right temporo-parieto-occipital brain regions during averted gaze was related to more severe symptomology as reported on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R).

Conclusions

The preliminary results suggest a pattern of aberrant connectivity that includes higher low frequency synchronization in posterior cortical regions, lack of long-range right hemispheric beta and gamma coherence, and decreased coherence in fronto-temporo-parietal regions necessary for orienting to shifts in eye gaze in ASD; a critical behavior essential for social communication.
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Metadata
Title
Neural synchrony examined with magnetoencephalography (MEG) during eye gaze processing in autism spectrum disorders: preliminary findings
Authors
Renée Lajiness-O’Neill
Annette E Richard
John E Moran
Amy Olszewski
Lesley Pawluk
Daniel Jacobson
Alfred Mansour
Kelly Vogt
Laszlo A Erdodi
Aimee M Moore
Susan M Bowyer
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 1866-1947
Electronic ISSN: 1866-1955
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1866-1955-6-15

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