Dias Camila, Sousa Teresa, Cruz Aniana, Costa Diana, Mouga Susana, Castelhano João, Pires Gabriel, Castelo-Branco Miguel
CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
ICNAS - Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Sci Rep. 2025 May 14;15(1):16671. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-00670-7.
Midfrontal theta oscillations have been linked to executive function, yet their role in autism-where this function is often compromised-remains unclear. We hypothesized that preparatory increases in theta power may help normalize performance in autism. To test this, we used a challenging interactive executive function task designed to impose a high working memory load and require constant error monitoring. An electroencephalogram (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) was used to maximize cognitive load and engagement. Neural activity from autistic and non-autistic adults was compared while participants were asked to mentally reverse pseudowords (engaging working memory) and write them using the BCI, which provided real-time performance feedback (maximizing error monitoring). The study focused on theta power modulation during the preparatory (pre-response) and feedback (post-response) periods but also explored the role of posterior alpha oscillations. Results showed similar task performance between groups, but distinct recruitment of brain resources, particularly during the preparatory period. The finding of an increased preparatory theta in autism favors the hypothesis of compensatory recruitment of cognitive control and attentional mechanisms to achieve accurate results.
额中回θ振荡与执行功能有关，但其在自闭症（这种功能常受损）中的作用仍不明确。我们推测，θ功率的预备性增加可能有助于使自闭症患者的表现正常化。为了验证这一点，我们使用了一项具有挑战性的交互式执行功能任务，该任务旨在施加较高的工作记忆负荷，并要求持续进行错误监测。基于脑电图（EEG）的脑机接口（BCI）被用于最大化认知负荷和参与度。在参与者被要求在脑海中反转伪词（运用工作记忆）并使用BCI书写它们（BCI提供实时表现反馈，以最大化错误监测）的同时，比较了自闭症和非自闭症成年人的神经活动。该研究聚焦于预备期（反应前）和反馈期（反应后）的θ功率调制，但也探讨了后部α振荡的作用。结果显示两组之间的任务表现相似，但大脑资源的募集情况不同，尤其是在预备期。自闭症患者预备性θ增加这一发现支持了通过代偿性募集认知控制和注意力机制以获得准确结果的假说。
