TDCS Modulates Brain Functional Networks in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Resting-State EEG Study

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on brain functional networks in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: We constructed brai...

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Main Authors: Jiannan Kang, Wenqin Mao, Juanmei Wu, Xinling Geng, Xiaoli Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IMR Press 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Integrative Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.imrpress.com/journal/JIN/24/3/10.31083/JIN27314
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author Jiannan Kang
Wenqin Mao
Juanmei Wu
Xinling Geng
Xiaoli Li
author_facet Jiannan Kang
Wenqin Mao
Juanmei Wu
Xinling Geng
Xiaoli Li
author_sort Jiannan Kang
collection DOAJ
description Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on brain functional networks in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: We constructed brain functional networks using phase-locking value (PLV) and assessed the temporal variability of these networks using fuzzy entropy. Graph theory was applied to analyze network characteristics. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) data were used to compare differences in brain functional connectivity, temporal variability, and network properties between children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children. Additionally, we examined the changes in functional connectivity, temporal variability, and network properties in children with ASD after 20 sessions of tDCS intervention. Results: The study revealed that children with ASD exhibited lower connectivity in the alpha band and higher connectivity in the beta band. In the delta and theta bands, ASD children demonstrated a mixed pattern of both higher and lower connectivity. Furthermore, ASD children exhibited higher temporal variability across all four frequency bands, particularly in the delta and beta bands. After tDCS intervention, the total score of the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) significantly decreased. Additionally, functional connectivity in the delta and alpha bands increased, while temporal variability in the delta and beta bands decreased, indicating positive changes in brain network characteristics. Conclusion: These results suggest that tDCS may be a promising intervention for modulating brain functional networks in children with ASD. Clinical Trial Registration: ChiCTR2400092790. Registered 22 November, 2024, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=249950.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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spelling doaj-art-d024cc7d3f8d4b04bcdaafda29d3c2f52025-08-20T02:48:28ZengIMR PressJournal of Integrative Neuroscience0219-63522025-03-012432731410.31083/JIN27314S0219-6352(24)00898-2TDCS Modulates Brain Functional Networks in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Resting-State EEG StudyJiannan Kang0Wenqin Mao1Juanmei Wu2Xinling Geng3Xiaoli Li4Child Rehabilitation Division, Ningbo Rehabilitation Hospital, 315000 Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaChild Rehabilitation Division, Ningbo Rehabilitation Hospital, 315000 Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaChild Rehabilitation Division, Ningbo Rehabilitation Hospital, 315000 Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, 100069 Beijing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, ChinaObjective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on brain functional networks in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: We constructed brain functional networks using phase-locking value (PLV) and assessed the temporal variability of these networks using fuzzy entropy. Graph theory was applied to analyze network characteristics. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) data were used to compare differences in brain functional connectivity, temporal variability, and network properties between children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children. Additionally, we examined the changes in functional connectivity, temporal variability, and network properties in children with ASD after 20 sessions of tDCS intervention. Results: The study revealed that children with ASD exhibited lower connectivity in the alpha band and higher connectivity in the beta band. In the delta and theta bands, ASD children demonstrated a mixed pattern of both higher and lower connectivity. Furthermore, ASD children exhibited higher temporal variability across all four frequency bands, particularly in the delta and beta bands. After tDCS intervention, the total score of the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) significantly decreased. Additionally, functional connectivity in the delta and alpha bands increased, while temporal variability in the delta and beta bands decreased, indicating positive changes in brain network characteristics. Conclusion: These results suggest that tDCS may be a promising intervention for modulating brain functional networks in children with ASD. Clinical Trial Registration: ChiCTR2400092790. Registered 22 November, 2024, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=249950.https://www.imrpress.com/journal/JIN/24/3/10.31083/JIN27314autism spectrum disorder (asd)transcranial direct current stimulation (tdcs)electroencephalogram (eeg)phase locking value (plv)brain functional network
spellingShingle Jiannan Kang
Wenqin Mao
Juanmei Wu
Xinling Geng
Xiaoli Li
TDCS Modulates Brain Functional Networks in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Resting-State EEG Study
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience
autism spectrum disorder (asd)
transcranial direct current stimulation (tdcs)
electroencephalogram (eeg)
phase locking value (plv)
brain functional network
title TDCS Modulates Brain Functional Networks in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Resting-State EEG Study
title_full TDCS Modulates Brain Functional Networks in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Resting-State EEG Study
title_fullStr TDCS Modulates Brain Functional Networks in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Resting-State EEG Study
title_full_unstemmed TDCS Modulates Brain Functional Networks in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Resting-State EEG Study
title_short TDCS Modulates Brain Functional Networks in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Resting-State EEG Study
title_sort tdcs modulates brain functional networks in children with autism spectrum disorder a resting state eeg study
topic autism spectrum disorder (asd)
transcranial direct current stimulation (tdcs)
electroencephalogram (eeg)
phase locking value (plv)
brain functional network
url https://www.imrpress.com/journal/JIN/24/3/10.31083/JIN27314
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