Cited by 1,694Action Observation and SynchronizationAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchFace Recognition and Perception

Understanding emotions in others: mirror neuron dysfunction in children with autism spectrum disorders

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Dapretto, Mirella, Davies, Mari S, Pfeifer, Jennifer H, Scott, Ashley A, Sigman, Marian, Bookheimer, Susan Y, Iacoboni, Marco·2006·Nature Neuroscience

Abstract

To examine mirror neuron abnormalities in autism, high-functioning children with autism and matched controls underwent fMRI while imitating and observing emotional expressions. Although both groups performed the tasks equally well, children with autism showed no mirror neuron activity in the inferior frontal gyrus (pars opercularis). Notably, activity in this area was inversely related to symptom severity in the social domain, suggesting that a dysfunctional 'mirror neuron system' may underlie the social deficits observed in autism.

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  1. [11]Lord C, et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2000;30:205–223. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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Authors
Dapretto, M., Davies, M. S., Pfeifer, J. H., Scott, A. A., Sigman, M., Bookheimer, S. Y., & Iacoboni, M.
Affiliations
University of California, Los Angeles (US)
Corresponding author
Dapretto, Mirella
Venue
Nature Neuroscience
Published
2005-12-04
Volume
9
Issue
1
Pages
28-30
ISSN
  • 1097-6256 (ISSN-L)
  • 1546-1726
OpenAlex
W2031371003
Cited by
1,694
References
16
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 78 · 2023: 37 · 2022: 56 · 2021: 60 · 2020: 106 · 2019: 58 · 2018: 74 · 2017: 75 · 2016: 71 · 2015: 89 · 2014: 108 · 2013: 107 · 2012: 124
FWCI
109.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Center for Research Resources (RR08655, P41RR013642, RR 13642, C06RR012169)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (P01HD035470, P50HD055784)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, mirror neuron system, social cognition, social dysfunction, inferior frontal gyrus, pars opercularis, symptom severity, children
MeSH terms
Autistic Disorder, Brain Mapping, Child, Emotions, Empathy, Facial Expression, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Neurons, Social Perception

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