title: Valence scaling of dynamic facial expressions is altered in high-functioning subjects with autism spectrum disorders: an fMRI study.
abstract: FMRI was performed with the dynamic facial expressions fear and happiness. This was done to detect differences in valence processing between 25 subjects with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and 27 typically developing controls. Valence scaling was abnormal in ASDs. Positive valence induces lower deactivation and abnormally strong activity in ASD in multiple regions. Negative valence increased deactivation in visual areas in subjects with ASDs. The most marked differences between valences focus on fronto-insular and temporal regions. This supports the idea that subjects with ASDs may have difficulty in passive processing of the salience and mirroring of expressions. When the valence scaling of brain activity fails, in contrast to controls, these areas activate and/or deactivate inappropriately during facial stimuli presented dynamically.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Child Psychiatry, University and University Hospital of Oulu, PO Box 26, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland. jrahko@me.com
authors.forename: Jukka S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rahko
authors.forename: Jyri-Johan
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Paakki
authors.forename: Tuomo H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Starck
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nikkinen
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Pauls
authors.forename: Jari V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Kätsyri
authors.forename: Eira M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Jansson-Verkasalo
authors.forename: Alice S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Tuula M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Hurtig
authors.forename: Marja-Leena
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mattila
authors.forename: Katja K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Jussila
authors.forename: Jukka J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Remes
authors.forename: Sanna A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kuusikko-Gauffin
authors.forename: Mikko E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sams
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bölte
authors.forename: Hanna E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Ebeling
authors.forename: Irma K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Moilanen
authors.forename: Osmo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tervonen
authors.forename: Vesa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kiviniemi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology