Neural Connectivity Evidence for a Categorical-Dimensional Hybrid Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a complex presentation of symptoms that include deficits in social interaction and repetitive or stereotyped interests/behaviors. In keeping with the increasing recognition of both the dimensional characteristics of ASD symptoms and the categorical nature of a diagnosis, we sought to delineate their neural mechanisms based on the functional connectivity of four known neural networks (i.e., the default-mode network, the dorsal attention network, the salience network, and the executive control network)