# Lean-NET-Based Local Brain Connectome Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder Classification

## TL;DR

This study uses brain connectivity patterns from fMRI data to classify autism spectrum disorder with high accuracy using a novel Lean-NET model and graph metrics.

## Contribution

A novel Lean-NET model is introduced for constructing subject-specific brain connectomes to improve ASD classification.

## Key findings

- Locally derived graph metrics effectively distinguish ASD from typically developing subjects.
- Classification accuracy ranges from 70% to 91% using SVM on selected features.
- Lean-NET-based analysis shows promise for functional connectivity studies in ASD.

## Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, along with atypical behavioral patterns. Affected individuals often seem isolated in their inner world and exhibit particular sensory reactions. The World Health Organization has indicated a persistent increase in the global prevalence of autism, with approximately 1 in 127 persons affected worldwide. This study contributes to the growing research effort by presenting a comprehensive analysis of functional connectivity patterns for ASD prediction using rs-fMRI datasets. A novel approach was used for ASD identification using the ABIDE II dataset, based on functional networks derived from BOLD signals. The sparse functional brain connectome (Lean-NET) model is employed to construct subject-specific connectomes, from which local graph metrics are extracted to quantify regional network properties. Statistically significant features are selected using Welch’s t-test, then subjected to False Discovery Rate (FDR) correction and classified using a Support Vector Machine (SVM). Our experimental results demonstrate that locally derived graph metrics effectively discriminate ASD from typically developing (TD) subjects and achieve accuracy ranging from 70% up to 91%, highlighting the potential of graph learning approaches for functional connectivity analysis and ASD characterization.