Increased premotor cortex activation in high functioning autism during action observation.
The mirror neuron (MN) hypothesis of autism has received considerable attention, but to date has produced inconsistent findings. Using functional MRI, participants with high functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome were compared to typically developing individuals (n=12 in each group). Participants passively observed hand gestures that included waving, pointing, and grasping. Concerning the MN network, both groups activated similar regions including prefrontal, inferior parietal and superior temporal regions, with the autism group demonstrating significantly greater activation in the dorsal premotor cortex. Concerning other regions, participants with autism demonstrated increased activity in the anterior cingulate and medial frontal gyrus, and reduced activation in calcarine, cuneus, and middle temporal gyrus. These results suggest that during observation of hand gestures, frontal cortex activation is affected in autism, which we suggest may be linked to abnormal functioning of the MN system.
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
Tom J
TJ
Perkins
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia; Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Precision Brain Spine and Pain Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: profbittar@precisionhealth.com.au.
Richard G
RG
Bittar
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
Jane A
JA
McGillivray
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
Ivanna I
II
Cox
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
Mark A
MA
Stokes
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005868:Gestures; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D059167:Mirror Neurons; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
Action observation; Autism spectrum disorders; Mirror neurons; Premotor cortex; fMRI