Brain function characteristics of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder based on functional near infrared spectroscopy

ZHANG Lin; ZHANG Jianping; JIANG Caiming; SHAO Zhi

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0853

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (6) : 597-602. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0853

Brain function characteristics of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder based on functional near infrared spectroscopy

ZHANG Lin^1,2, ZHANG Jianping³, JIANG Caiming⁴, SHAO Zhi^1,2

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Abstract

Objective To explore the characteristics of brain functional networks in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD), in order to provide a theoretical basis for the pathological mechanism of ASD. Methods From September 2022 to October 2023, 28 children aged 4 to 6 years with ASD receiving intervention in the Rehabilitation Treatment Centerfor Children with ASD of Chongqing and 20 age-matched typically developed children were selected. Resting-state functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS) imaging data were collected. Graph theory analysis was used to compare differences in brain functional topological properties between the two groups, with global indices(global efficiency, local efficiency) and nodal indices(nodal degree, nodal efficiency) as dependent variables. Results Compared with typically developed children, children with ASD exhibited higher nodal degree(t=5.570, P=0.023) and lower nodal efficiency(t=6.916, P=0.012) in the medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC). In terms of global indices, after excluding the influence of gender, ASD children had higher local efficiency(t=4.714, P=0.036) and lower global efficiency(t=5.862, P=0.020). Conclusions The mPFC serves as an important information transmission hub in preschool children with ASD. Compared with typically developed children, children with ASD have deficiencies in information integration and global information transmission but exhibit certain advantages in local information transmission and differentiation.

Key words

autism spectrum disorder / functional near-infrared spectroscopy / graph theory / medial prefrontal cortex / preschool children

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ZHANG Lin, ZHANG Jianping, JIANG Caiming, SHAO Zhi. Brain function characteristics of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder based on functional near infrared spectroscopy[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(6): 597-602 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0853

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