Page 46 - MEGIN Book Of Abstracts - 2023

coupling in the ipsilateral primary motor cortex was als with limited cognitive and language performance
reduced in the ASD group compared with the control in neuroimaging research (non-sedated, awake) and
group. Using oscillatory changes and their couplings, (2) improve data quality across the performance range.
linear discriminant analysis classified the ASD and con- The purpose of this study was to develop, implement,
trol groups with high accuracy (area under the receiver and test the feasibility of a clinical/behavioral and tech-
operating characteristic curve: 97.1%). The current find- nical protocol for obtaining magnetoencephalography
ings revealed alterations in oscillations and oscillatory (MEG) data. Participants were 38 children with ASD
coupling, reflecting the dysregulation of motor gating (8-12 years) meeting the study definition of minimally
mechanisms in ASD. These results may be helpful for verbal/nonverbal language. MEG data were obtained
elucidating the neural mechanisms underlying motor during a passive pure-tone auditory task.
dysfunction in ASD, suggesting the possibility of devel-
oping a biomarker for ASD diagnosis. RESULTS Based on stakeholder feedback, the MEG Pro-
tocol for Low-language/cognitive Ability Neuroimaging
Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, Brain oscillations, (MEG-PLAN) was developed, integrating clinical/behav-
Magnetoencephalography, Motor cortex, Phase-ampli- ioral and technical components to be implemented by
tude coupling an interdisciplinary team (clinicians, behavior special-
ists, scientists, and technologists). Using MEG-PLAN, a
NeuroImage. Clinical (2021), Vol. 29 (33494029) (0 74% success rate was achieved for acquiring MEG data,
citations) with a 71% success rate for evaluable and analyzable
data. Exploratory analyses suggested nonverbal IQ and
adaptive skills were related to reaching the point of
MEG-PLAN: a clinical and technical protocol for acquirable data. No differences in group characteristics
obtaining magnetoencephalography data in were observed between those with acquirable versus
minimally verbal or nonverbal children who have evaluable/analyzable data. Examination of data quality
autism spectrum disorder (2021) (evaluable trial count) was acceptable. Moreover, re-
sults were reproducible, with high intraclass correlation
Kuschner, Emily S; Kim, Mina; Bloy, Luke; Dipiero, coefficients for pure-tone auditory latency.
Marissa; Edgar, J Christopher; Roberts, Timothy P L
CONCLUSIONS Children who have ASD who are mini-
Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, mally verbal/nonverbal, and often have co-occurring
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. kuschnere@ cognitive impairments, can be effectively and com-
chop.edu; Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, fortably supported to complete an electrophysiologi-
Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadel- cal exam that yields valid and reproducible results.
phia, 2716 South Street, 5th Floor, Room 5251, Philadelphia, MEG-PLAN is a protocol that can be disseminated
PA, 19146, USA and implemented across research teams and adapted
across technologies and neurodevelopmental disorders
BACKGROUND Neuroimaging research on individuals to collect electrophysiology and neuroimaging data in
who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has histori- previously understudied groups of individuals.
cally been limited primarily to those with age-appro-
priate cognitive and language performance. Children Keywords: Applied behavior analysis, Autism spectrum
with limited abilities are frequently excluded from such disorder, Compliance, Imaging methodology, Intellectual
neuroscience research given anticipated barriers like disability, Magnetoencephalography, Minimally verbal,
tolerating the loud sounds associated with magnetic Nonverbal
resonance imaging and remaining still during data col-
lection. To better understand brain function across the Journal of neurodevelopmental disorders (2021), Vol. 13,
full range of ASD there is a need to (1) include individu- No. 1 (33485311) (0 citations)

 ontents  Index 25
C