University of California researchers have isolated a part of the brain in autistic children that shows no activity while observing emotions.
Using MRI scanning, the UCLA researchers measured brain activity in 10 high-functioning children with autism while they imitated and observed 80 photos depicting emotions such as anger, fear, happiness or sadness. In addition, the brain activity of 10 typically developing children was studied while performing the same tasks.
Differences were evident in the brain's mirror neuron system, located in the pars opercularis of the inferior frontal gyrus brain region.
"Our findings suggest that a dysfunctional mirror neuron system may underlie the social deficits observed in autism," said Mirella Dapretto, lead author and assistant professor in residence of psychiatry and bio-behavioral sciences. "This is exciting because we finally have an account that can explain all core symptoms of this disorder."
The research was published in the online publication of the journal Nature Neuroscience.
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