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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Published on: December 31, 2013

Increased premotor cortex activation in high functioning autism during action observation.

Tom J Perkins¹, Richard G Bittar², Jane A McGillivray¹

¹Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience : Official Journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia

|March 2, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The mirror neuron (MN) system may function differently in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study found altered brain activation patterns during observation of hand gestures in the autism group.

Keywords:

Action observation Autism spectrum disorders Mirror neurons Premotor cortex fMRI

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Psychology
Cognitive Science

Background:

The mirror neuron (MN) hypothesis proposes atypical MN system functioning in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Previous research on this hypothesis has yielded inconsistent findings.
Understanding brain activity during action observation is crucial for ASD research.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) differences in brain activation between individuals with high-functioning autism/Asperger's syndrome and typically developing controls.
To examine brain activity within the mirror neuron network and other cortical regions during passive observation of hand gestures.

Main Methods:

Functional MRI (fMRI) was employed to compare brain activation patterns.
Participants included 12 individuals with high-functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome and 12 typically developing controls.
Participants passively observed various hand gestures (waving, pointing, grasping).

Main Results:

Both groups showed similar activation in key MN network regions (prefrontal, inferior parietal, superior temporal).
The autism group exhibited significantly greater activation in the dorsal premotor cortex.
Increased activity was observed in the anterior cingulate and medial frontal gyrus, with reduced activation in the calcarine, cuneus, and middle temporal gyrus in the autism group.

Conclusions:

Frontal cortex activation during hand gesture observation is affected in individuals with autism.
These findings suggest a potential link between observed brain activity alterations and abnormal functioning of the mirror neuron system in ASD.
Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of the MN system in autism.