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Central Executive and Default Mode Networks: An Appraisal of Executive Function and Social Skill Brain-Behavior Correlates in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

Atypical connectivity patterns have been observed for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), particularly across the triple-network model. The current study investigated brain-behavior relationships in the context of social skills and executive function profiles for ASD youth. We calculated connectivity measures from diffusion tensor imaging using Bayesian estimation and probabilistic tractography. We replicated prior structural equation modeling of behavioral measures with total default mode network (DMN) connectivity to include comparisons with central executive network (CEN) connectivity and CEN-DMN connectivity. Increased within-CEN connectivity was related to metacognitive strengths. Our findings indicate behavior regulation difficulties in youth with ASD may be attributable to impaired connectivity between the CEN and DMN and social skill difficulties may be exacerbated by impaired within-DMN connectivity.

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Acknowledgments

The current study utilized data from the Autism Brain Imaging Database Exchange (ABIDE) II, which is supported by NIMH grant R21MH107045. The authors did not receive any funding for the current study, and the authors do not have any ties to the grant funding this ABIDE II data aggregation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Texas Tech University, P.O. Box 41230, Lubbock, TX, 79409-1230, USA

    Jessica Blume & Ann M. Mastergeorge

  2. Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, USA

    Chathurika S. Dhanasekara

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, USA

    Chanaka N. Kahathuduwa

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  1. Jessica Blume
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  2. Chathurika S. Dhanasekara
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  3. Chanaka N. Kahathuduwa
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study design and development. Preparation of behavioral data was completed by JB, and preparation of neuroimaging data was completed by SD and CK. Model analysis was led by JB, and interpretation of models was a collaboration of all authors. Manuscript writing was led by JB. All authors contributed to the manuscript writing, revisions, and approval of the final manuscript submitted.

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Correspondence to Jessica Blume.

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Blume, J., Dhanasekara, C.S., Kahathuduwa, C.N. et al. Central Executive and Default Mode Networks: An Appraisal of Executive Function and Social Skill Brain-Behavior Correlates in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-05961-4

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