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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
08:31
Conscious and Non-conscious Representations of Emotional Faces in Asperger's Syndrome
Published on: July 31, 2016
Autism and the development of face processing.
Golijeh Golarai1, Kalanit Grill-Spector, Allan L Reiss
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Clinical Neuroscience Research
|January 8, 2008
Summary
This review explores how autism spectrum disorder affects face processing, focusing on brain regions like the STS, FFA, and amygdala. Understanding typical face processing development is key to identifying autism-related anomalies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition impacting social communication and behavior.
- Individuals with ASD often exhibit deficits in processing facial cues, including gaze, identity, and emotions.
- Neural markers for atypical face processing in ASD are sought within social cognition networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of specific brain regions (STS, FFA, amygdala) in face processing anomalies in autism.
- To examine the normal development of face processing mechanisms.
- To identify key unknowns in the neurodevelopmental processes underlying face perception in autism.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on neuroimaging and behavioral studies.
- Analysis of research on the superior temporal sulcus (STS), fusiform face area (FFA), and amygdala.
- Examination of studies on typical face processing development.
Main Results:
- The STS, FFA, and amygdala are critical for processing gaze, identity, and emotions, respectively.
- Anomalies in these regions contribute to face processing deficits in autism.
- Normal development of these regions is essential for understanding autism-related face processing differences.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the typical development of the STS, FFA, and amygdala is crucial for elucidating the neural basis of face processing in autism.
- Further research is needed on neurodevelopmental processes, experience, and system interactions in face perception.
- Identifying these factors will advance our understanding of autism and inform potential interventions.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:24Prosopagnosia
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01:20Parallel Processing
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