Cited by 498Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchFunctional Brain Connectivity StudiesFace Recognition and Perception

Abnormal functional connectivity in autism spectrum disorders during face processing

Kleinhans, Natalia M., Richards, Todd, Sterling, Lindsey, Stegbauer, Keith C., Mahurin, Roderick, Johnson, L. Clark, Greenson, Jessica, Dawson, Geraldine +1 more·2008·Brain

Abstract

Abnormalities in the interactions between functionally linked brain regions have been suggested to be associated with the clinical impairments observed in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We investigated functional connectivity within the limbic system during face identification; a primary component of social cognition, in 19 high-functioning adults with ASD and 21 age-and IQ-matched control adults. Activation during identification of previously viewed faces and houses using a one-back paradigm was compared. The fusiform face area (FFA) was individually localized in each participant and used as the seed point for functional connectivity analyses. The degree of correlation between FFA and the extended neural circuitry involved in face identification was tested. A whole brain analysis was also conducted in order to determine whether connectivity from the FFA to aberrant brain locations was present in the ASD group. Measures of clinical severity (ADOS social score and ADI-R social score) were included as independent variables into the functional connectivity analyses. Significant FFA-amygdala and FFA-superior temporal sulcus functional connectivity was found in both the ASD and control participants. However, the control group had significantly increased connectivity to the left amygdala and the posterior cingulate compared to ASD. Post hoc analyses additionally found increased connectivity to the thalamus in the controls. A significant relationship between abnormal functional connectivity and clinical severity in the ASD group was observed. Specifically, greater social impairment was associated with reduced FFA-amygdala connectivity and increased FFA-right inferior frontal connectivity. These results suggest that abnormal neural connections within the limbic system may contribute to the social impairments observed in ASD.

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Crossref · 10.1093/brain/awm334

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  • Individuals with ASD show reduced network connections between the FFA and inferior frontal and ventral and middle temporal areas during visuospatial and face processing.

    “The reduced network connections observed in individuals with ASD include those between the FFA and inferior frontal and ventral and middle temporal area during visuospatial and face processing. (Kleinhans et al., 2008)”
  • Kleinhans et al. (2008) found further functional connectivity abnormalities between FFA and amygdala during face processing.

    “Further functional connectivity abnormalities have been found between FFA and amygdala during face processing (Kleinhans et al., 2008).”

    From Vision in autism spectrum disorders (2009) · cites this paper as Kleinhans et al., 2008

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Authors
Kleinhans, N. M., Richards, T., Sterling, L., Stegbauer, K. C., Mahurin, R., Johnson, L. C., Greenson, J., Dawson, G., & Aylward, E.
Affiliations
University of Washington (US)
Venue
Brain
Published
2008-01-24
Volume
131
Issue
4
Pages
1000-1012
ISSN
  • 0006-8950 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2156
OpenAlex
W2109332877
Cited by
498
References
88
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 49 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 44
FWCI
22.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Brain (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health (U54MH066399)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (U19HD34565)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, functional connectivity, face processing, fusiform face area, amygdala, superior temporal sulcus, limbic system, social cognition, social dysfunction, clinical severity, posterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, inferior frontal gyrus
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Amygdala, Autistic Disorder, Brain Mapping, Eye Movements, Face, Facial Expression, Frontal Lobe, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Neural Pathways, Pattern Recognition, Visual, Photic Stimulation, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Severity of Illness Index, Social Perception, Recognition, Psychology

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