Resting-state alpha power is selectively associated with autistic traits reflecting behavioral rigidity

Abstract

Previous research suggests that variation in at-rest neural activity correlates with specific domains of the ASD phenotype; however, few studies have linked patterns of brain activity with autistic trait expression in typically developing populations. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) and three domains of the broader autism phenotype (social interest, rigidity, and pragmatic language) in typically developing individuals. High-density scalp EEG was recorded in thirty-seven typically developing adult participants (13 male, aged 18–52 years). The Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAP-Q) was used to measure autistic trait expression. Absolute alpha power (8–13 Hz) was extracted from eyes-closed epochs using spectral decomposition techniques. Analyses revealed a specific positive association between scores on the BAP-Q Rigidity subscale and alpha power in the parietal scalp region. No significant associations were found between alpha power and the BAP-Q Aloofness or Pragmatic Language subscales. Furthermore, the association between EEG power and behavioral rigidity was specific to the alpha frequency band. This study demonstrates that specific traits within the broader autism phenotype are associated with dissociable patterns of at-rest neural activity.

Spatially bivariate EEG-neurofeedback can manipulate interhemispheric rebalancing of M1 excitability

“…The impedance of all channels, excluding the outermost part, was maintained below 30 kΩ throughout the experiment to standardize the EEG recordings (Ferree et al, 2001). This impedance standard was consistent with other studies using the same EEG system (Carter Leno et al, 2018b, 2018a; Robertson et al, 2019).…”

Electroencephalographic Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Characteristics and Therapeutic Implications

“…However, contrasting data reveal that resting-state parietal alpha power has a positive association with some traits characteristic of the cognitive rigidity, that is, the difficulty to adapt to changes and the tendency towards repetitive behaviors (evaluated with Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire—BAP-Q— p < 0.05) found in autism, suggesting that the broader autism phenotype could be associated with different EEG patterns [ 52 ].…”

The Presence of Another Person Influences Oscillatory Cortical Dynamics During Dual Brain EEG Recording

“…We predicted that variation in social context would alter resting-state oscillatory brain activity. Specifically, we expected that alpha would be sensitive to changing social dynamics based on the well-established evidence that alpha indexes vigilance and arousal, as well as prior work demonstrating an association between alpha activity and autistic traits (11). Additionally, we expected that variation in oscillatory activity between contexts, as a marker of sensitivity to social context, would be associated with social cognition, as measured through self-report of social ability.…”

“…Neuroimaging studies consistently implicate atypical resting activity across multiple modalities in clinical populations with impaired social cognition (7)(8)(9)(10). Even in nonclinically ascertained populations, EEG studies have identified alterations in power in the alpha frequency range (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13) associated with social cognition (11). Despite strong evidence for an association between at-rest brain activity and social function, the majority of research has measured brain activity when participants are in isolation in an EEG recording chamber, MRI, or MEG; we know little about brain activity during in vivo social interactions.…”