BOLD fMRI responses to low and high frequency of sensory stimulation may reflect excitation and inhibition (im)balance

Motivation: The hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input is a common diagnostic criterion in autism, potentially influencing BOLD signals. Goal(s): Our study was centered on unraveling the underlying mechanisms governing the positive and negative BOLD responses to low and high sensory stimulus frequencies. A ratio of BOLD responses of high frequency to low frequency may reflect E:I balance. Approach: Our study delved into BOLD responses during varied sensory stimulation frequenciesResults: We observed increased neural activity and BOLD responses at lower frequencies, contrasting with suppressed cortical activity and subsequent negative BOLD responses at higher frequencies. Impact: A ratio of BOLD responses of high frequency to low frequency may reflect E:I balance, necessary for the clinical utility of BOLD fMRI to hyper- or hypo-reactivity responses to sensory inputs in autism