scholarly journals The mirror neuron system compensates for amygdala dysfunction-associated social deficits in individuals with higher autistic traits

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Xu ◽  
Xiaoxiao Zheng ◽  
Shuxia Yao ◽  
Jialin Li ◽  
Meina Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Deficits ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
The Social

The amygdala is a core node in the social brain which exhibits structural and functional abnormalities in Autism spectrum disorder and there is evidence that the mirror neuron system (MNS) can functionally compensate for impaired emotion processing following amygdala lesions. In the current study, we employed an fMRI paradigm in 241 subjects investigating MNS and amygdala responses to observation, imagination and imitation of dynamic facial expressions and whether these differed in individuals with higher as opposed to lower autistic traits. Results indicated that individuals with higher compared to lower autistic traits showed reduced left amygdala responses to imitation and enhanced responses in the left superior temporal sulcus (STS) of the MNS to observation, imagination and imitation. Additionally, functional connectivity between the left amygdala and the left STS as well as some other MNS regions was increased in individuals with higher autistic traits, especially during imitation of fearful expressions. The amygdala-MNS connectivity significantly moderated autistic group differences on recognition memory for fearful faces and real-life social network indices, indicating that increased amygdala-MNS connectivity could diminish the social behavioral differences between higher and lower autistic trait groups. Overall, findings demonstrate decreased imitation-related amygdala activity in individuals with higher autistic traits in the context of increased cortical MNS activity and amygdala-MNS connectivity which may functionally compensate for amygdala dysfunction and social deficits. Training targeting the MNS may capitalize on this compensatory mechanism for therapeutic benefits in Autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder

2015 ◽  
pp. 139-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Brüne
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Empirical Testing ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Stereotyped Behaviours

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social communication deficits, impaired social interaction, and restricted and stereotyped behaviours and interests. The typical onset is during early childhood. Behaviourally, people with ASD have difficulties in tolerating proximity. Insecure attachment is frequently observed. At the cognitive level, people with ASD have selective difficulties in mentalizing or ‘theory of mind’, possibly related to a dysfunctional mirror neuron system and alterations of the oxytocin system. Conversely, many with ASD (particularly those formerly diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome) have superior technical skills. It has been hypothesized that the brains of individuals with ASD are skewed to maleness, possibly linked to genomic imprinting of paternal genes. The preservation of genes that predispose to ASD may have undergone sexual selection fostering ‘slow’ life-history strategies. None of the evolutionary hypotheses on ASD is conclusive so far, but open to empirical testing.

Altered Cortical Thickness and Tract Integrity of the Mirror Neuron System and Associated Social Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 694-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiang-Yun Chien ◽  
Susan Shur-Fen Gau ◽  
Yung-Chin Hsu ◽  
Yu-Jen Chen ◽  
Yu-Chun Lo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Neuron System

scholarly journals Selected forms of therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorder

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-23
Author(s):  
Ewa Dudzinska ◽  
Kinga Szymona ◽  
Anna Pacian ◽  
Teresa Kulik
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Early Therapy ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Pharmacological Method

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition of multiple origins. It is characterised by a range of behaviour patterns, in addition to disturbed social and emotional functioning. Of note, early therapy is conducive to better treatment results. A few recently discussed therapies have a particularly positive impact on children with ASD. Corbett et al. [2] proposed Sense Theatre. This involves instilling appropriate behaviours and communication patterns into the afflicted individual through acting. Role-playing and other similar techniques also offer an opportunity for children with ASD to improve their areas of empathy and social cooperation. With regard to bio-feedback-related techniques, Friedrich et al. [3] was noted for developing the Brain-computer method, a system of game interface connected to an external device. The method targets the mirror neuron system (MNS) in order to enhance cognitive, emotional and behavioural functions through neurofeedback. An approach put forward by Solomon et al. [10] is called ‘Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters (PLAY) Project Home Consultation’. Herein, volunteers visit patients’ homes on a regular basis to engage the children in play and games, after which they discuss with parents, the issues that came up. The PLAY reduces guardians’ stress levels and improves children’s skills. A pharmacological method is that of administering sulphoraphane [9], which reduces damaging effects. As others claim [8,1,7], other dietary approaches prove efficient as well. In summation, an early intervention and the employment of a multimodal treatment approach can be of importance for enhancing the life of ASD-affected children.

scholarly journals Continuing to look in the mirror: A review of neuroscientific evidence for the broken mirror hypothesis, EP-M model and STORM model of autism spectrum conditions

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1945-1959
Author(s):  
Luke Yates ◽  
Hannah Hobson
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Autism Spectrum Condition ◽  
Response Modulation ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
The Social ◽  
Spectrum Condition ◽  
Storm Model

The mirror neuron system has been argued to be a key brain system responsible for action understanding and imitation. Subsequently, mirror neuron system dysfunction has therefore been proposed to explain the social deficits manifested within autism spectrum condition, an approach referred to as the broken mirror hypothesis. Despite excitement surrounding this hypothesis, extensive research has produced insufficient evidence to support the broken mirror hypothesis in its pure form, and instead two alternative models have been formulated: EP-M model and the social top-down response modulation (STORM) model. All models suggest some dysfunction regarding the mirror neuron system in autism spectrum condition, be that within the mirror neuron system itself or systems that regulate the mirror neuron system. This literature review compares these three models in regard to recent neuroscientific investigations. This review concludes that there is insufficient support for the broken mirror hypothesis, but converging evidence supports an integrated EP-M and STORM model. Lay abstract The mirror neuron system has been argued to be a key brain system responsible for understanding the actions of others and for imitation. It has therefore been proposed that problems within this system could explain the social difficulties experienced by people with autism spectrum condition. This idea is referred to as the broken mirror hypothesis. However, research has produced insufficient evidence to support the broken mirror hypothesis in its original form. Therefore, two other models have been suggested: EP-M model and the social top-down response modulation (STORM) model. All models suggest something is different regarding the mirror neuron system in autism spectrum condition: either within the mirror neuron system itself or within the systems that control the activity of the mirror neuron system. This literature review compares these three models in regard to recent neuroscientific investigations. This review concludes that there is insufficient support for both the broken mirror hypothesis, but converging evidence supports an integrated EP-M and STORM model.

scholarly journals Distinct neurocognitive bases for social trait judgments of faces in autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongbo Yu ◽  
Runnan Cao ◽  
Chujun Lin ◽  
Shuo Wang
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Personality Dimensions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Neurophysiological Data ◽  
And Control ◽  
Trait Judgment ◽  
Social Trait

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by difficulties in social processes, interactions, and communication. Yet, the neurocognitive bases underlying these difficulties are unclear. Here, we triangulated the trans-diagnostic approach to personality, social trait judgments of faces, and neurophysiology to investigate (1) the relative position of autistic traits in a comprehensive social-affective personality space and (2) the distinct associations between the social-affective personality dimensions and social trait judgment from faces in individuals with ASD and neurotypical individuals. We collected personality and facial judgment data from a large sample of online participants (N = 89 self-identified ASD; N = 308 neurotypical controls). Factor analysis with 33 sub-scales of 10 social-affective personality questionnaires identified a 4-dimensional personality space. This analysis revealed that ASD and control participants did not differ significantly along the personality dimensions of empathy and prosociality, antisociality, or social agreeableness. However, the associations between these dimensions and judgments of facial trustworthiness and warmth differed across groups. Neurophysiological data also indicated that ASD and control participants might rely on distinct neuronal representations for judging trustworthiness and warmth from faces. These results suggest that the atypical association between social-affective personality and social trait judgment from faces may contribute to the social and affective difficulties associated with ASD.

scholarly journals Mirroring and Mentalizing in Autism - Detection of Different Types of Movements and Emotions in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milena Marx
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Approach ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Associated Functions ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Social Encounters

Two different neural systems and their associated functions have been identified by social neuroscience as important factors of social interaction: the mirror neuron system (MNS) and the mentalizing system (MENT), mirroring and mentalizing, respectively. Since anomalies in social behavior are core to autism spectrum disorder, observation of impairments in this disease is particularly interesting for research on those functions. Yet, the majority of studies concentrated respectively on one of the two networks or associated abilities or did not take into account clinical populations to learn more about the synergy of both during social encounters. This study is the first to examine those complex skills between two diagnostic groups using an appropriate behavioral approach. A new set of stimuli allowed to compare mirroring and mentalizing by addressing both recognition abilities with the same visual input, controlling for potentially confounding variables.Results indicate anomalies in the detection of mood, but not in the detection of actions in autism, suggesting impairments in mentalizing but normal functioning of mirroring abilities. Since no differences between mirroring and mentalizing in the group of healthy control participants were detected, findings can be interpreted as an indication for a primal separation of both functions or neural networks, respectively. However, a synergy seems to be probable, but needs to be clarified by further research. Additionally, a significantly higher number of unanswered trials was observed in persons with autism, indicating a tendency of avoidance of uncertainty in autism.

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