Abnormal functional connectivity of default mode sub-networks in autism spectrum disorder patients

► Three default mode sub-networks (DM-SNs) were identified from resting state fMRI scans of 16 patients with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and 16 matched healthy controls (HC) using independent component analysis (ICA). ► Compared to HC, patients with ASD showed decreased functional connectivity between the precuneus and medial prefrontal cortex/anterior cingulate cortex and other DM-SNs areas. ► FC magnitude in these regions inversely correlated with the severity of patients' social and communication deficits as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule and the Social Responsiveness Scale. ► Supplemental analyses suggest that these results were independent of treatment status.