Journal article
Automatic facial responses to affective stimuli in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder
Physiology & Behavior, Vol.109, pp.14-22
2013
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate atypical behavioural responses to affective stimuli, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Investigating automatic responses to these stimuli may help elucidate these mechanisms. 18 high-functioning adults with ASDs and 18 typically developing controls viewed 54 extreme pleasant (erotica), extreme unpleasant (mutilations), and non-social neutral images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS). Two-thirds of images received an acoustic startle probe 3 s post-picture onset. Facial electromyography (EMG) activity (orbicularis, zygomaticus, corrugator), skin conductance (SCR) and cardiac responses were recorded. The adults with ASDs demonstrated typical affective startle modulation and automatic facial EMG responses but atypical autonomic (SCRs and cardiac) responses, suggesting a failure to orient to, or a deliberate effort to disconnect from, socially relevant stimuli (erotica, mutilations). These results have implications for neural systems known to underlie affective processes, including the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala.
Details
- Title
- Automatic facial responses to affective stimuli in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder
- Authors/Creators
- D. Mathersul (Author/Creator)S. McDonald (Author/Creator)J.A. Rushby (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Physiology & Behavior, Vol.109, pp.14-22
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Identifiers
- 991005541643407891
- Copyright
- © 2012 Elsevier Inc.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.136 Autism & Development Disorders
- 1.136.283 Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Web Of Science research areas
- Behavioral Sciences
- Psychology, Biological
- ESI research areas
- Neuroscience & Behavior