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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
EEG Mu Rhythm in Typical and Atypical Development
Published on: April 9, 2014
EEG evidence for mirror neuron dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders
Lindsay M Oberman1, Edward M Hubbard, Joseph P McCleery
1Center for Brain and Cognition, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0109, USA. lshenk@psy.ucsd.edu
Abstract:
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.
Insights
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show normal mirror neuron activity for self-movement but not observed movement. This suggests a mirror neuron system dysfunction may underlie ASD-related social and imitation deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by social and communication deficits.
- A dysfunctional mirror neuron system is hypothesized to contribute to ASD pathology.
- Mu wave suppression in EEG reflects mirror neuron activity during action observation and execution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mirror neuron system function in high-functioning individuals with ASD.
- To determine if mu wave suppression differs between individuals with ASD and controls during observed and self-performed movements.
Main Methods:
- Measured EEG mu wave suppression in ten high-functioning individuals with ASD and ten controls.
- Participants watched videos of hand movements, a bouncing ball, and visual noise, and performed hand movements.
- Analyzed mu suppression in response to actual and observed actions.
Main Results:
- Control subjects exhibited significant mu suppression for both self-performed and observed hand movements.
- Individuals with ASD showed significant mu suppression for self-performed movements only.
- The ASD group did not exhibit significant mu suppression when observing hand movements.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the hypothesis of a dysfunctional mirror neuron system in high-functioning individuals with ASD.
- This dysfunction may explain deficits in imitation and social understanding observed in ASD.
- Mu wave analysis offers a potential biomarker for mirror neuron system integrity in ASD.
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