.: 'Broken Mirror' May Cause Autism
Category:Home / Health / Medicine
When observing and imitating emotions, children with autism display virtually no activity in a key part of the brain's mirror neuron system, according to new imaging research published in Nature Neuroscience.
The human brain has a matching system of observation and execution that causes mirror neurons to fire both when a person observes others performing a goal-directed action and when he or she carries out the same action. This is the neural mechanism that allows most people to automatically understand others' actions, intentions and emotions, neuroscientists believe.
But autism is characterized by difficulties with social interaction, including verbal and nonverbal communication, imitation and empathy. The new findings dramatically bolster a growing body of evidence pointing to a breakdown of the brain’s mirror neuron system as the mechanism behind these symptoms.
Dysfunctional Mirror Neuron System
"Our findings suggest that a dysfunctional mirror neuron system may underlie the social deficits observed in autism," says Mirella Dapretto, lead author and assistant professor in residence of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
"Together with other recent data, our results provide strong support for a mirror neuron theory of autism. This is exciting because we finally have an account that can explain all core symptoms of this disorder," Dapretto adds.
Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity in 10 high-functioning children with autism while they imitated and observed 80 photos depicting different emotions, such as anger, fear, happiness or sadness. The brain activity of 10 typically developing children also was studied while they performed the same tasks.
All of the children rehearsed the tasks prior to the fMRI scans to assure researchers they could perform the tasks. Both groups performed equally well. Normal brain activity in areas of the brain involving sight and facial movements indicated that the children with autism remained on task during the fMRI scans.
The team assessed symptom severity of each autistic child with two independent measures: the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic, and the Autism Diagnostic Interview.
Reduced Activity in the Emotion Centers
Unlike the typically developing children, the autistic children showed virtually no activity in the part of the brain called the pars opercularis of the inferior frontal gyrus, which has been identified as a key part of the mirror neuron system in previous research.
Importantly, the level of mirror neuron activity seen in children with autism was inversely related to symptom severity in the social domain.
Children with autism also showed reduced activity in the emotion centers of the brain, consistent with the hypothesis that this mirroring mechanism may play a crucial role for understanding how others feel and for empathizing with them.
Copyright 2005 Daily News Central
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Nicole Weaver is a health journalist for
Daily News Central, an online publication that delivers breaking news and reliable health information to consumers, healthcare providers and industry professionals.
.: New Medicine Articles
1). Boston Hospitals Provide Specialized Care
When looking at Boston Hospitals know what services they provide. Get better care when you choose the right hospital.
2). How Our Ancestors Introduced Herbal Remedies to the Modern World
Without herbal medicine, modern medicine would not be in the advanced stage that it is. Our species has relied on plants for thousands of years - not only for nutrition, but to ease ailments that develop within our minds and bodies.
3). Taking Care Of Acne Prone Skin With Proper Skin Care Products
There are actually medicines that can be applied to treat acne but before putting them on your face, you need to first consult a doctor to find out the regimen that will fit your condition and your skin type. Here are some tips on how to take care of acne prone skin.
4). Fighting Gum Disease
More than 75 percent of Americans over 35 have some form of gum disease. What is gum disease? The term gum disease or periodontal disease, describes bacterial growth and production of factors that gradually destroy the tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth.
5). Cosmetic Surgery Financing: How Can You Get It?
Plastic or cosmetic surgery financing makes procedures affordable to those who might otherwise not consider surgery an option.
6). Dealing With The Fear Of Vaccination In Children
Vaccinations protect people against catching viral infections that can devastate a family, and doctors recommend a schedule of immunization for all children.
7). Studies on the Goji Berry
Goji research began with some simple vitamin, mineral and nutrient analysis, expecting to find results similar to other fruits. The Goji Berry Fruit revealed itself to be quite possibly the most unique nutritionally dense food on earth!
.: Top Medicine Articles
1). Diabeticine And Diamaxol: The FDA And Diabetes Medication
You might be wondering about Diabeticine, which has recently changed its name to Diamaxol. Diabeticine claimed to cure “99 % of type II diabetes, and 64% of type I diabetes.” It was approved as a supplement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Diabeticine, however, claimed to target the root of diabetes. Diabeticine claimed that it was a hypoglycemic agent.
2). Effective Alternatives for Antibiotics in the Treatment of Strep Throat
Strep throat is an illness that commonly accompanies flu or cold. Although it commonly affects children, strep throat can occur at any age. Unlike sore throat, an ailment caused by infection with viral agents, strep throat is caused by infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. These bacteria are very contagious and they can be easily acquired by entering in contact with infected people.
3). New Types of Antibiotics in the Treatment of Strep Throat
Strep throat is inflammation and swelling of the throat, tonsils and lymph nodes due to infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat is very contagious and the bacteria responsible for causing the illness can be easily acquired by entering in contact with contaminated people. Streptococcus bacteria are airborne and they can be transmitted through droplets of mucus produced by cough or sneezing.
4). How To Reduce Foot Pain
Metatarsal stress fractures or a bone spur can cause pain at the top of the foot. A bone spur is an enlarged bone that looks like a bump on top of the foot. The bone spur is likely the result of too much pressure or too tight shoes.
The most common remedy for bone spurs involves wearing a larger size shoe and not tying shoelaces quite so tight so that you take some of the pressure off the bone.
5). Miracle Glue And Wound Closure!
Have you ever heard of gluing a cut together? The first time I heard about this I was somewhat shocked. I was selling a product called Miracle Glue at trade shows. I had people telling all the outrageous stories possible about the origins of cyanoacrylates (superglue) - Miracle Glue is in the same category. The prevailing story was that superglue had been invented in the Vietnam era for soldiers.
6). Treating Acne, Scars, And Wrinkles With A Tca Trichloroacetic Acid Skin Peel
Everyone has heard of skin peels and there are many - lactic, glycolic, salicylic, TCA (trichloroacetic acid), and phenol. Of these there are basically 3 levels:
Minor, superficial peels - lactic, glycolic, salicylic.
Medium depth peels - TCA, Jessner's
Deep peels - phenol.
We will only deal with medium strength TCA peels here as they are the easiest to apply (Jessner's can require multiple concurrent applications and taping to aide in skin penetration), safest, and, by far, the most effective against numerous skin ailments/conditions.
7). Bird Flu – Answers to 10 Important Questions
Find out the answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions about bird flu.