EEG Coherence Patterns in Autism: An Updated Review

• Published in: Pediatric neurology Vol. 67; pp. 7 - 22
• Main Authors: Schwartz, Sophie, B.S, Kessler, Riley, B.A, Gaughan, Thomas, B.S, Buckley, Ashura W., M.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 28-10-2016
• Subjects: Neurology; Pediatrics
• ISSN: 0887-8994; 1873-5150
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2016.10.018

Abstract Recent electrophysiological studies suggest that autism spectrum disorder is characterized by aberrant anatomical and functional neural circuitry. During normal brain development, pruning and synaptogenesis facilitate ongoing changes in both short- and long-range neural wiring. In developmental disorders such as autism, this process may be perturbed leading to abnormal neural connectivity. Careful analysis of electrophysiological connectivity patterns using EEG coherence may provide a way to probe the resulting differences in neurological function between people with and without autism. There is general consensus that EEG coherence patterns differ between individuals with and without autism spectrum disorders, however the exact nature of the differences and their clinical significance remain unclear. Here we review recent literature comparing EEG coherence patterns between patients with autism spectrum disorders or at high risk for autism and their non-autistic or low risk for autism peers.