Interhemispheric differences in the spectral power and coherence of EEG rhythms in children with autism spectrum disorders

• Published in: Human physiology 2017-05, Vol.43 (3), p.265-273
• Main Authors: Luschekina, E. A., Khaerdinova, O. Yu, Luschekin, V. S., Strelets, V. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autism; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cerebral hemispheres; Children; EEG; Hemispheric laterality; Human Physiology; Life Sciences; Psychological assessment
• ISSN: 0362-1197; 1608-3164
• DOI: 10.1134/S0362119717030112

Electroencephalographic examination of boys aged 4–9 years with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) showed spectral power values and coherence in high-frequency bands (20–60 Hz) in various brain areas were higher than normal. Differences in spectral power were greater in the anterior areas of the left hemisphere; differences in coherence, in the right anterior and posterior areas. Interhemispheric differences typical of healthy subjects were absent in the children with ASDs. The spectral power of the θ rhythm was lower in autism, especially in the left hemisphere. The spectral power of the α rhythm in the autistic children was lower than normal, especially in the posterior areas of the left hemisphere. The μ rhythm was higher than normal in spectral power and was localized in the right, rather than left, anterior areas. The children were examined again after corrective procedures. The α-rhythm spectral power increased (became closer to the norm) in the left posterior areas, while the γ-rhythm spectral power decreased (became closer to the norm) in the right anterior areas in some of the autistic children. The electrophysiological changes were associated with improved psychological testing results, especially in nonverbal measures.