title: Autistic empathy toward autistic others.
abstract: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are thought to lack self-awareness and to experience difficulty empathizing with others. Although these deficits have been demonstrated in previous studies, most of the target stimuli were constructed for typically developing (TD) individuals. We employed judgment tasks capable of indexing self-relevant processing in individuals with and without ASD. Fourteen Japanese men and 1 Japanese women with high-functioning ASD (17-41 years of age) and 13 Japanese men and 2 TD Japanese women (22-40 years of age), all of whom were matched for age and full and verbal intelligence quotient scores with the ASD participants, were enrolled in this study. The results demonstrated that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex was significantly activated in individuals with ASD in response to autistic characters and in TD individuals in response to non-autistic characters. Although the frontal-posterior network between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and superior temporal gyrus participated in the processing of non-autistic characters in TD individuals, an alternative network was involved when individuals with ASD processed autistic characters. This suggests an atypical form of empathy in individuals with ASD toward others with ASD.
authors.affiliation: The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA, Department of Psychiatry, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, 4-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan, Faculty of Regional Sciences, Tottori University, Koyamacho-Minami, Tottori City 680-8551, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan komeda.hidetsugu.5w@kyoto-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hidetsugu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Komeda
authors.affiliation: The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA, Department of Psychiatry, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, 4-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan, Faculty of Regional Sciences, Tottori University, Koyamacho-Minami, Tottori City 680-8551, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child
authors.forename: Hirotaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kosaka
authors.affiliation: The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA, Department of Psychiatry, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, 4-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan, Faculty of Regional Sciences, Tottori University, Koyamacho-Minami, Tottori City 680-8551, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child
authors.forename: Daisuke N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.affiliation: The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA, Department of Psychiatry, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, 4-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan, Faculty of Regional Sciences, Tottori University, Koyamacho-Minami, Tottori City 680-8551, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mano
authors.affiliation: The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA, Department of Psychiatry, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, 4-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan, Faculty of Regional Sciences, Tottori University, Koyamacho-Minami, Tottori City 680-8551, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Minyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA, Department of Psychiatry, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, 4-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan, Faculty of Regional Sciences, Tottori University, Koyamacho-Minami, Tottori City 680-8551, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.affiliation: The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA, Department of Psychiatry, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, 4-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan, Faculty of Regional Sciences, Tottori University, Koyamacho-Minami, Tottori City 680-8551, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisakazu T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Yanaka
authors.affiliation: The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA, Department of Psychiatry, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, 4-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan, Faculty of Regional Sciences, Tottori University, Koyamacho-Minami, Tottori City 680-8551, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Munesue
authors.affiliation: The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA, Department of Psychiatry, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, 4-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan, Faculty of Regional Sciences, Tottori University, Koyamacho-Minami, Tottori City 680-8551, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishitobi
authors.affiliation: The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA, Department of Psychiatry, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, 4-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan, Faculty of Regional Sciences, Tottori University, Koyamacho-Minami, Tottori City 680-8551, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA, Department of Psychiatry, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, 4-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan, Faculty of Regional Sciences, Tottori University, Koyamacho-Minami, Tottori City 680-8551, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child
authors.forename: Hidehiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okazawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D004532:Ego; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007360:Intelligence; D007600:Judgment; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: autism spectrum disorder; empathy; self; similarity; ventromedial prefrontal cortex