Nonrapid eye movement sleep and risk for autism spectrum disorder in early development: A topographical electroencephalogram pilot study

Open access
Date
2020-03Type
- Journal Article
Abstract
Objective
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder that emerges in the beginning years of life (12–48 months). Yet, an early diagnosis of ASD is challenging as it relies on the consistent presence of behavioral symptomatology, and thus, many children are diagnosed later in development, which prevents early interventions that could benefit cognitive and social outcomes. As a result, there is growing interest in detecting early brain markers of ASD, such as in the electroencephalogram (EEG) to elucidate divergence in early development. Here, we examine the EEG of nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in the transition from infancy to toddlerhood, a period of rapid development and pronounced changes in early brain function. NREM features exhibit clear developmental trajectories, are related to social and cognitive development, and may be altered in neurodevelopmental disorders. Yet, spectral features of NREM sleep are poorly understood in infants/toddlers with or at high risk for ASD.
Methods
The present pilot study is the first to examine NREM sleep in 13‐ to 30‐month‐olds with ASD in comparison with age‐matched healthy controls (TD). EEG was recorded during a daytime nap with high‐density array EEG.
Results
We found topographically distinct decreased fast theta oscillations (5–7.25 Hz), decreased fast sigma (15–16 Hz), and increased beta oscillations (20–25 Hz) in ASD compared to TD.
Conclusion
These findings suggest a possible functional role of NREM sleep during this important developmental period and provide support for NREM sleep to be a potential early marker for ASD. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000401186Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Brain and BehaviorVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
WileySubject
Autism spectrum disorder; High-density electroencephalogram; Infants; Nonrapid eye movement sleep; Sleep spindles; Theta; ToddlersOrganisational unit
03963 - Wenderoth, Nicole / Wenderoth, Nicole
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