White matter microstructure as a potential contributor to differences in resting state alpha activity between neurotypical and autistic children: a longitudinal multimodal imaging study.

The analysed sample was smaller than the scanned sample because some recordings were unusable: 64 typically developing and 68 autistic children had MEG data at Time 1, but 59 typically developing and 56 autistic children had evaluable data. The sample was mostly male and excluded children with nonverbal IQ below 70, so it may not represent girls or children with intellectual disability. Children were selected to have no seizures, no genetic syndromes with very high autism incidence, no uncorrectable sensory impairments, and no certain medications, so the sample may not represent many children seen in practice. Later visits were delayed by COVID-19, and some children dropped out, so the long-term pattern may not reflect a normal 18-month follow-up schedule. The study measured brain imaging and cognitive scores, not therapy outcomes, so it cannot tell a therapist how to change treatment. White-matter analysis focused on the optic radiation, so other brain regions may also contribute to peak alpha frequency.

Funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The supplied text does not report author conflicts of interest.

Do not read the faster peak alpha rhythm as a clinical diagnosis or treatment target. The study used research imaging in selected children and did not test any therapy.