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Cited by 275Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchAction Observation and SynchronizationChild and Animal Learning Development

Specialization of right temporo-parietal junction for mentalizing and its relation to social impairments in autism

Lombardo, Michael V., Chakrabarti, Bhismadev, Bullmore, Edward T., Baron-Cohen, Simon·2011·NeuroImage
DOI 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.02.067
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Abstract

Over the last 25 years, "mindblindness" (deficits in representing mental states) has been one of the primary explanations behind the hallmark social-communication difficulties in autism spectrum conditions (ASC). However, highlighting neural systems responsible for mindblindness and their relation to variation in social impairments has remained elusive. In this study we show that one of the neural systems responsible for mindblindness in ASC and its relation to social impairments is the right temporo-parietal junction (RTPJ). Twenty-nine adult males with ASC and 33 age and IQ-matched Controls were scanned with fMRI while making reflective mentalizing or physical judgments about themselves or another person. Regions of interest within mentalizing circuitry were examined for between-group differences in activation during mentalizing about self and other and correlations with social symptom severity. RTPJ was the only mentalizing region that responded atypically in ASC. In Controls, RTPJ was selectively more responsive to mentalizing than physical judgments. This selectivity for mentalizing was not apparent in ASC and generalized across both self and other. Selectivity of RTPJ for mentalizing was also associated with the degree of reciprocal social impairment in ASC. These results lend support to the idea that RTPJ is one important neural system behind mindblindness in ASC. Understanding the contribution of RTPJ in conjunction with other neural systems responsible for other comp…

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  • Some researchers have suggested that a lack of 'theory of mind' in autistic children, young people and adults impairs their ability to reflect on their own mental states, thus questioning the veracity of autistic people's accounts of their own experiences.

    “Along these lines, some researchers have even suggested that a lack of ‘theory of mind’ in autistic children, young people and adults (Baron‐Cohen, Leslie, & Frith, 1985) impairs their ability to reflect on their own mental states (Lombardo, Chakrabarti, Bullmore, & Baron‐Cohen, 2011), thus questioning the veracity of autistic people’s accounts of their own experiences (Frith & Happé, 1999).”

    From Annual Research Review: Shifting from ‘normal science’ to neurodiversity in autism science (2022) · cites this paper as Lombardo, Chakrabarti, Bullmore, & Baron‐Cohen, 2011

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Authors
Lombardo, M. V., Chakrabarti, B., Bullmore, E. T., & Baron-Cohen, S.
Affiliations
University of Cambridge (GB)
Corresponding author
Lombardo, Michael V.
ORCID
Venue
NeuroImage
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-06
Volume
56
Issue
3
Pages
1832-1838
ISSN
1053-8119 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.02.067
OpenAlex
W2164632854
Cited by
275
References
14
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 16
FWCI
11.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • NeuroImage (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Medical Research Council
  • Shirley Foundation
  • Cambridge Overseas Trust
  • NIHR CLAHRC
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
Keywords
right temporoparietal junction, mentalization, mindblindness, autism spectrum disorder, social dysfunction, social cognition, neural specialization
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Autistic Disorder, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Mental Processes, Parietal Lobe, Psychomotor Performance, Social Behavior, Social Behavior Disorders, Temporal Lobe, Wechsler Scales, Asperger Syndrome, International Classification of Diseases, Young Adult, Theory of Mind

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