Resting state electroencephalography microstates in autism spectrum disorder: A mini-review.
EEG microstates look different in autism, but labs need to agree on one resting-state recipe before we can use them as a quick screen.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Das and team looked at eight small EEG studies. All used resting-state microstates in kids and adults with autism.
A microstate is a short, stable brain pattern that lasts under a second. The review asked: do these patterns look different in ASD?
What they found
Yes, the papers show altered microstate timing and size in autism. Yet labs used different cap types, eye-open rules, and age groups.
Because of the mix, the authors say we cannot yet trust microstates as a stand-alone test.
How this fits with other research
Mulder et al. (2020) extends this idea. They tracked split-second desynchrony bursts in ASD teens with the same resting EEG. Their fine-grain timing data back up the microstate changes Das saw.
Zhao et al. (2024) and Guo et al. (2024) offer conceptual replications. Both used resting fMRI and also found unstable brain states in ASD. The fact that MRI and EEG tell the same story makes the marker more believable.
Wang et al. (2025) casts a wider net. Their 2025 systematic review of presymptomatic biomarkers says none, including EEG, are ready for clinic use. This supports Das’s warning that we still need standard protocols.
Why it matters
You can’t diagnose with microstates yet, but you can help build the evidence. If you run EEG for research, follow one cap layout, keep eyes closed, and note age. Share your raw files so future reviews can firm up the marker. Until then, keep using gold-standard ADOS and parent reports for day-to-day decisions.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Atypical spatial organization and temporal characteristics, found via resting state electroencephalography (EEG) microstate analysis, have been associated with psychiatric disorders but these temporal and spatial parameters are less known in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). EEG microstates reflect a short time period of stable scalp potential topography. These canonical microstates (i.e., A, B, C, and D) and more are identified by their unique topographic map, mean duration, fraction of time covered, frequency of occurrence and global explained variance percentage; a measure of how well topographical maps represent EEG data. We reviewed the current literature for resting state microstate analysis in ASD and identified eight publications. This current review indicates there is significant alterations in microstate parameters in ASD populations as compared to typically developing (TD) populations. Microstate parameters were also found to change in relation to specific cognitive processes. However, as microstate parameters are found to be changed by cognitive states, the differently acquired data (e.g., eyes closed or open) resting state EEG are likely to produce disparate results. We also review the current understanding of EEG sources of microstates and the underlying brain networks.
Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2022 · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.988939