Aberrant functioning of the theory-of-mind network in children and adolescents with autism
Aberrant functioning of the theory-of-mind network in children and adolescents with autism
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DOI：
10.1186/s13229-015-0052-x
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发表时间：
2015-10-27
期刊：
影响因子：
6.2
通讯作者：
Just, Marcel Adam
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Kana, Rajesh K.;Maximo, Jose O.;Just, Marcel Adam
背景：心理理论（Theory-of-Mind，ToM）是一种推断人们思想和情感的能力，是有效社交的关键技能。患有自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的个体被发现改变了ToM技能，这显着影响了他们的社会互动质量。神经影像学研究已经报道了ToM皮层网络的激活改变，特别是在患有自闭症的成年人中，但对于患有ASD的年轻个体中ToM的大脑反应知之甚少。这项功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）研究调查了患有ASD的高功能儿童和青少年以及匹配的典型发育（TD）peer.Methods：fMRI数据来自13名ASD参与者和13名TD对照参与者，同时他们观看涉及两个“相互作用”的几何形状的动画。与TD对照组相比，ASD参与者在被认为是ToM网络、镜像网络和小脑的一部分的区域中表现出显著降低的激活。功能连接分析显示，在ASD participants.Conclusions任务performance期间，额叶和后部区域之间的连接不足：总体而言，本研究的结果揭示了在ASD的ToM在多个层面上，包括减少激活和减少功能连接的脑回路中断。
Background: Theory-of-mind (ToM), the ability to infer people's thoughts and feelings, is a pivotal skill in effective social interactions. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been found to have altered ToM skills, which significantly impacts the quality of their social interactions. Neuroimaging studies have reported altered activation of the ToM cortical network, especially in adults with autism, yet little is known about the brain responses underlying ToM in younger individuals with ASD. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study investigated the neural mechanisms underlying ToM in high-functioning children and adolescents with ASD and matched typically developing (TD) peers.Methods: fMRI data were acquired from 13 participants with ASD and 13 TD control participants while they watched animations involving two "interacting" geometrical shapes.Results: Participants with ASD showed significantly reduced activation, relative to TD controls, in regions considered part of the ToM network, the mirror network, and the cerebellum. Functional connectivity analyses revealed underconnectivity between frontal and posterior regions during task performance in the ASD participants.Conclusions: Overall, the findings of this study reveal disruptions in the brain circuitry underlying ToM in ASD at multiple levels, including decreased activation and decreased functional connectivity.