Distinct Modes of Functional Neural Organization in Autism: Insights from Dynamical Systems Analysis of Resting-State EEG

TL;DR

This study uses dynamical systems analysis of resting-state EEG to reveal that autistic individuals exhibit less stable, more random neural dynamics and weaker connectivity compared to neurotypical peers, with differences modulated by eye state.

Contribution

It introduces a dynamical systems approach to uncover subtle neural organization differences in autism not captured by traditional EEG measures.

Findings

Autistic participants show higher Lyapunov exponents indicating less stable neural dynamics.

Weaker phase synchronization and lower network efficiency in autism during eyes-open rest.

Closing the eyes enhances neural synchrony and connectivity in autistic individuals.

Abstract

While differences in patterns of functional connectivity and neural synchronization have been reported between individuals on the autism spectrum and neurotypical peers at various age stages, these differences appear to be subtle and may not be captured by typical quantitative measures of EEG. We used the dynamical systems approach to analyze resting-state EEG to investigate fine-grained spatiotemporal organization of brain networks in autistic and neurotypical young adults. While power spectra showed minimal group differences, autistic participants exhibited higher Lyapunov exponents (indicating less stable neural dynamics), weaker phase synchronization, and lower clustering/efficiency of functional networks during eyes-open resting state, suggesting more random and less stably connected neural dynamics in comparison to those of neurotypical peers. Closing the eyes regularized neural dynamics in autistic but not neurotypical participants, with increases in synchrony strength, transient desynchronization patterning, and functional connectivity observed in the autistic group. The results point to the distinct modes of neural dynamics organization likely reflecting cumulative developmental adaptations to sensory inputs that shape both resting-state neural activity and cognitive processing strategies.