Abnormal Functional Hierarchy Development During Childhood in Autism

Motivation: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) involves atypical information processing, including abnormal connections between sensory and cognitive functions. The developmental patterns of the functional hierarchy in ASD children remain unclear. Goal(s): To investigate the developmental patterns of the functional hierarchy in children with ASD and typically developing children, and to identify developmental abnormalities in ASD children. Approach: Using functional MRI data from 476 children, we analyzed functional connectivity gradients, comparing children with ASD and typically developing children. Results: ASD children showed abnormal developmental patterns, particularly in the primary-to-transmodal gradient and key brain networks, suggesting atypical functional hierarchy maturation compared to typically developing children. Impact: This study revealed abnormal developmental patterns of the functional hierarchy of the brain in children with autism. Our findings provide new evidence for an imbalance in the functional hierarchy in autism.