This document discusses mirror neurons and their potential relationship to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It provides background on mirror neurons, outlining their basic properties and functions such as sensorimotor integration, understanding intentions, and facilitating empathy. The document then hypothesizes that a dysfunction of the mirror neuron system may underlie some characteristics of ASD, including social isolation and lack of empathy. It reviews evidence from EEG studies that found differences in mirror neuron activity in individuals with ASD compared to controls. The document concludes that a dysfunctional mirror neuron system could explain certain ASD symptoms like difficulties understanding intentions and exhibiting poor social skills.

1. Mirror Neurons
& Autism
Yung-Tsai Chu
2012/06/04

2. Outline
 Basic Neuro-Physiological Properties
 Function Overview
 Dysfunction of Mirror Neurons and Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

3. BASIC NEURO-
PHYSIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

4. Mirror Neurons

5. Now…

6. Illustration
Motor Order Motor
(from
Premotor a.)
Neuron
Observation Mirror
(Sensory Neurons
Input)

7. The Parieto-Frontal Mirror Network
 Sensorimotor Integration
 Basis of Imitation

8. FUNCTION OVERVIEW OF
MIRROR NEURONS

9. Function Overview
 Sensorimotor Integration
 Understanding the goal and intention
 Empathy
 Speech

10. Understanding the intention

11. Empathy

12. Speech
 “r” V.S “f”
 Different tongue muscle activity
 Language Learning

13. Mirror Neuron System
Sensory
Cognition Motor

14. MIRROR NEURONS &
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

15. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
 Characteristics of ASD
 Isolation and Lack of Empathy
 Rationale: “Mirror neurons appear to be
performing precisely the same functions that are
disrupted in autism.”

16. EEG evidence

17. EEG evidence

18. Correlation

19. Explanations for Symptoms
 Not able to understand Intentions
 Lack of empathy
 Problems understanding metaphors
 get a grip on yourself : to get control of your thoughts
 Poor Social Skills

20. Take-Home Message
 MNS is a network that can reflect what you
observe and somehow activate motor areas
(sensorimotor integration)
 Functions of MNS includes imitation,
understanding of intentions, empathy, language
learning etc.
 Dysfunction of MNS may be the cause of Autism
Disorder

21. Reference
 Rizzolatti G and Fabbri-Destro M(2008) The mirror system and its
role in social cognition.
 Massimo G et al. (2004) Modulation of premotor mirror neuron
activity during observation of unpredictable grasping movements
 Rizzolatti G, Sinigaglia C (2010) The functional role of the parieto-
frontal mirror circuit: interpretations and misinterpretations.
 Iacoboni M, Dapretto M. 2006. The mirror neuron system and the
consequences of its dysfunction.
 Maddalena F-D et al.(2008) Mirror Neurons and Mirror Systems in
Monkeys and Humans
 Singer T et al.(2004) Empathy for pain involves the affective but not
sensory components of pain

22. Reference
 Fadiga L.et al.(2002) Speech listening specifically modulates the
excitability of tongue muscles: a TMS study.
 Vilayanur SR, Lindsay MO. 2007. Broken Mirrors: A Theory of
Autism
 Oberman LM et al. (2005) EEG evidence for mirror neuron
dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders
 Mirella D. et al.(2005) Understanding emotions in others: mirror
neuron dysfunction in children with autism spectrum disorders.
 Luigi C et al. (2007) Impairment of actions chains in autism and its
possible role in intention understanding