Mentalizing and motivation neural function during social interactions in autism spectrum disorders.

ABSTRACT: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are characterized by core deficits in social functions. Two theories have been suggested to explain these deficits: mind-blindness theory posits impaired mentalizing processes (i.e. decreased ability for establishing a representation of others' state of mind), while social motivation theory proposes that diminished reward value for social information leads to reduced social attention, social interactions, and social learning. Mentalizing and motivation are integral to typical social interactions, and neuroimaging evidence points to independent brain networks that support these processes in healthy individuals. However, the simultaneous function of these networks has not been explored in individuals with ASDs. We used a social, interactive fMRI task, the Dom

SUBMITTER: Assaf M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3815022 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature