AUTHOR=Kopańska Marta , Ochojska Danuta , Sarzyńska Izabela , Trojniak Julia , Szczygielski Jacek 

TITLE=Exploratory quantitative EEG characteristics in children with autism spectrum disorder

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1689000

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1689000

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=IntroductionAutism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are currently one of the most common childhood conditions. It is estimated that they affect approximately 1 in 31 children. Early and rapid diagnosis can increase a child’s chances of reaching full developmental, social, and educational potential despite their condition.MethodsOur study aimed to describe a brainwave pattern in children with mild autism spectrum disorder (Level-1 according to DSM-5) based on quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) analysis. The QEEG study is one of the valuable electrophysiological methods used in neurology and psychiatry, becoming more and more popular for diagnosing ASD. Our study included 48 children aged 7–10 years. Based on previous clinical examinations, 24 of them were diagnosed with mild ASD (mASD). Quantitative electroencephalography for Delta, Theta, Alpha, sensorimotor rhythm (SMR), Beta1, and Beta2 waves was performed using electrodes placed at thirteen recording points (frontal: FzF3F4, central: CzC3C4, parietal: P3PzP4, temporal: T3T4, and occipital: O1O2 points) with eyes open and closed.ResultsA comparison of the results between the mASD group and control group revealed significantly higher amplitude values for all Delta, Theta, Alpha, SMR, Beta1, and Beta2 wave measurements in the mASD population. Furthermore, the overrepresentation of Beta2-waves could be discerned in mASD children, as compared to their non-ASD-affected peers.DiscussionThe described pattern may help screen for mASD or confirm the diagnosis in the pediatric population of mASD-suspected patients. Additionally, it is worth noting that the results obtained demonstrate the importance of QEEG in detecting different patterns of brain activity in children with ASD, which plays a significant role in better understanding the heterogeneity of this disorder.