Barendse EM, et al. – In the study presented here, the researchers hypothesize that brain networks for working memory (WM) have an altered network integrity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to controls. Results of this study suggested that adolescent with higher functioning autism have difficulty with the working memory system, which is typically compensated. They observed that functional MRI provided neuronal correlates for memory difficulties in adolescents with ASD.

Methods

• Thirteen adolescents (1 female) with autistic disorder (n = 1), Asperger's disorder (n = 7), and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (n = 5), and 13 typically developing control adolescents (1 female) took part in this investigation.
• Functional MRI was performed utilizing an n-back task and in resting state.

Results

• According to the findings obtained, the analysis of the behavioral data showed deficits in working memory performance in ASD, but only when tested to the limit.
• It was found that adolescents with ASD demonstrated lower binary global efficiency in the working memory network as compared to the control group with n-back and resting state data.
• This associated with diagnostic scores for total problems, reciprocity, and language.