Absence of Contagious Yawning in ASD Laura Pynn 18/03/08 Laura Pynn 18/03/08

Research Question  Is the capacity for empathy related to deficits in contagious yawning?  Deficits in capacity for empathy known to exist in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)  Contagious yawning known to activate the superior temporal sulcus and periamygdalar region  Structural abnormalities have been reported in these areas in individuals with ASD  Is the capacity for empathy related to deficits in contagious yawning?  Deficits in capacity for empathy known to exist in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)  Contagious yawning known to activate the superior temporal sulcus and periamygdalar region  Structural abnormalities have been reported in these areas in individuals with ASD

Participants ASD children  N = 24  20 males, 4 females  Mean=11.6 yrs   IQ = 82.1  ASD children  N = 24  20 males, 4 females  Mean=11.6 yrs   IQ = 82.1  TD children  N = 25  14 males, 11 females  Mean = 11.0   IQ =  TD children  N = 25  14 males, 11 females  Mean = 11.0   IQ = 

Procedure Yawn Condition  6 video clips - yawning faces, 7s each  1 minute inter-stimulus interval  Silent cartoon animation  Participants asked to count # of female faces to ensure they attended to the display Yawn Condition  6 video clips - yawning faces, 7s each  1 minute inter-stimulus interval  Silent cartoon animation  Participants asked to count # of female faces to ensure they attended to the display Control Condition  6 video clips - open mouth faces, 7s each  1 minute inter-stimulus interval  Silent cartoon animation  Participants asked to count # of female faces to ensure they attended to the display Control Condition  6 video clips - open mouth faces, 7s each  1 minute inter-stimulus interval  Silent cartoon animation  Participants asked to count # of female faces to ensure they attended to the display

Results  Between Groups  Yawn videos elicited more yawns from the TD group than the ASD group  No difference between yawning rates for control videos; therefore rates of spontaneous yawning do not differ between groups  Within Groups  No difference between yawn and control condition in ASD children  Significant differences between the yawn and control conditions for TD children  Between Groups  Yawn videos elicited more yawns from the TD group than the ASD group  No difference between yawning rates for control videos; therefore rates of spontaneous yawning do not differ between groups  Within Groups  No difference between yawn and control condition in ASD children  Significant differences between the yawn and control conditions for TD children

Further Analysis  Analysis of male participants only:  Results remained significant  IQ matched subgroups:  16 TD children, 16 ASD children  TD children still showed more yawning than ASD children in the yawn condition  Analysis of male participants only:  Results remained significant  IQ matched subgroups:  16 TD children, 16 ASD children  TD children still showed more yawning than ASD children in the yawn condition

Discussion  Demonstrates neuropathology can specifically impair contagious yawning without effecting spontaneous yawning  “…current results support the claim that contagious yawning and the capacity for empathy share common neural and cognitive mechanisms.”  Demonstrates neuropathology can specifically impair contagious yawning without effecting spontaneous yawning  “…current results support the claim that contagious yawning and the capacity for empathy share common neural and cognitive mechanisms.”

Discussion  Why?  Possible dysfunction of the mirror neuron system (MNS)  However, previous fMRI studies found no selective activation of Broca’s area during contagious yawning  Atypical patterns of face fixation - perception of the eye regions is most important for eliciting yawns  Future studies with eye tracking?  Why?  Possible dysfunction of the mirror neuron system (MNS)  However, previous fMRI studies found no selective activation of Broca’s area during contagious yawning  Atypical patterns of face fixation - perception of the eye regions is most important for eliciting yawns  Future studies with eye tracking?