Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2005-7-4
pubmed:abstractText
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are largely characterized by deficits in imitation, pragmatic language, theory of mind, and empathy. Previous research has suggested that a dysfunctional mirror neuron system may explain the pathology observed in ASD. Because EEG oscillations in the mu frequency (8-13 Hz) over sensorimotor cortex are thought to reflect mirror neuron activity, one method for testing the integrity of this system is to measure mu responsiveness to actual and observed movement. It has been established that mu power is reduced (mu suppression) in typically developing individuals both when they perform actions and when they observe others performing actions, reflecting an observation/execution system which may play a critical role in the ability to understand and imitate others' behaviors. This study investigated whether individuals with ASD show a dysfunction in this system, given their behavioral impairments in understanding and responding appropriately to others' behaviors. Mu wave suppression was measured in ten high-functioning individuals with ASD and ten age- and gender-matched control subjects while watching videos of (1) a moving hand, (2) a bouncing ball, and (3) visual noise, or (4) moving their own hand. Control subjects showed significant mu suppression to both self and observed hand movement. The ASD group showed significant mu suppression to self-performed hand movements but not to observed hand movements. These results support the hypothesis of a dysfunctional mirror neuron system in high-functioning individuals with ASD.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jul
pubmed:issn
0926-6410
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
24
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
190-8
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Adolescent, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Adult, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Alpha Rhythm, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Autistic Disorder, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Case-Control Studies, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Child, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Electroencephalography, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Female, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Humans, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Imitative Behavior, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Inhibition (Psychology), pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Male, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Mental Processes, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Middle Aged, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Movement, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Neurons, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Psychomotor Performance, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Spectrum Analysis, pubmed-meshheading:15993757-Visual Perception
pubmed:year
2005
pubmed:articleTitle
EEG evidence for mirror neuron dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders.
pubmed:affiliation
Center for Brain and Cognition, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0109, USA. lshenk@psy.ucsd.edu
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural