Altered aperiodic EEG spectral power during speech perception is associated with verbal communication in youths with autism

This study used high-density EEG to examine excitation/inhibition balance markers during speech perception in 162 autistic youth and 144 typically developing controls aged 7-18 years. Results showed altered neural activity patterns (higher cortical 'noise') in autistic participants, with greater neural noise correlating with lower verbal communication skills, suggesting this may be a relevant neurobiological marker for language impairment in autism.