AUTHOR=Wang Kai , Li Ke , Niu Xiaoyu 

TITLE=Altered Functional Connectivity in a Triple-Network Model in Autism With Co-occurring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.736755

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2021.736755

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Purpose:</bold> This study aimed to explore alterations in functional connectivity (FC) within and between default mode network (DMN), central executive network, and salience network in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).</p><p><bold>Method:</bold> A total of 135 individuals' date of the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange II was used to compare the ASD+ADHD group with the ASD group in relation to the abnormal within-network and between-network connectivity of the ASD group relative to the TD group; consequently, the correlation analysis between abnormal FC and behavior was performed.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The ASD+ADHD group exhibited decreased within-network connectivity in the precuneus of the ventral DMN compared with the ASD group. Among the three groups, the ASD+ADHD group showed lower connectivity, whereas the ASD group had higher connectivity than the TD group, although the effect of the separate <italic>post hoc</italic> test was not significant. Meanwhile, the ASD+ADHD group showed increased between-network connectivity between the ventral DMN and dorsal DMN and between the ventral DMN and left executive control network, compared with the ASD and TD groups.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Dysfunction of DMN in the “triple-network model” is the core evidence for ASD with co-occurring ADHD.</p>