Fig. 9

A schematic diagram of a model summarizing major OFC connectivity networks in neurotypical adults (a) and their likely disruption in ASD (b). Our findings suggest that the balance of excitation/inhibition (E/I) is disrupted in OFC, with an overall weakening of excitatory inputs and outputs, tipping the scales due to the relative increase in the local inhibitory load (strengthening of inhibition) in all cortical layers of OFC. These changes likely affect robust short-range reciprocal connections with cytoarchitectonically similar limbic medial prefrontal cortices (MPFC) and anterior cingulate cortices (ACC), which involve most cortical layers (lateral or columnar connectivity pattern, gray arrows). Feedforward (purple arrows) and feedback (blue arrows) long-range pathways linking OFC with sensory association areas, mostly in the temporal lobe, and the amygdala are also likely disrupted in ASD. Arrows indicate reciprocal connections and their thickness indicates relative strength