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Prinsen J, Alaerts K. In the eye of the beholder: Social traits predict motor simulation during naturalistic action perception. Neuropsychologia 2024; 199:108889. [PMID: 38670526 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2024.108889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Previous research has robustly demonstrated that eye contact between actor and observer promotes the simulation of perceived actions into the observer's own motor system, which in turn facilitates social perception and communication. The socially relevant connotation embedded in eye contact may however be different for individuals with differing social traits. Here, we examined how "normal" (i.e. non-clinical) variability in self-reported social responsiveness/autistic traits, social anxiety and interpersonal relationship style (secure, avoidant or anxious attachment) influences neural motor simulation during action observation in different gaze conditions. To do so, we analyzed an existing dataset involving 124 adult participants (age range: 18-35 years) who underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) while observing an actor performing simple hand actions and simultaneously engaging in eye contact or gazing away from the observer. Motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes were adopted as an index of motor resonance. Regression-based analyses highlighted the role of social responsiveness and secure attachment in shaping motor resonance, indicating that socially responsive motor resonance during dyadic gaze (i.e., MEPdirect > MEPaverted) was only observed in participants displaying high levels of these traits. Furthermore, a clustering analysis identified two to three distinct subgroups of participants with unique social trait profiles, showing a clear differentiation in motor resonant patterns upon different gaze cues that is in accordance with a recent neurobiological framework of attachment. Together, results demonstrate that motor resonance within a given social interaction may serve as a sensitive tracker of socio-interactive engagement, which allows to capture subclinical inter-individual variation in relevant social traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jellina Prinsen
- Neurorehabilitation Research Group, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Kaat Alaerts
- Neurorehabilitation Research Group, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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2
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Ilkevič E, Hausmann M, Grikšienė R. Emotion recognition and regulation in males: Role of sex and stress steroids. Front Neuroendocrinol 2024; 74:101145. [PMID: 38862092 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2024.101145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Understanding emotions in males is crucial given their higher susceptibility to substance use, interpersonal violence, and suicide compared to females. Steroid hormones are assumed to be critical biological factors that affect and modulate emotion-related behaviors, together with psychological and social factors. This review explores whether males' abilities to recognize emotions of others and regulate their own emotions are associated with testosterone, cortisol, and their interaction. Higher levels of testosterone were associated with improved recognition and heightened sensitivity to threatening faces. In contrast, higher cortisol levels positively impacted emotion regulation ability. Indirect evidence from neuroimaging research suggested a link between higher testosterone levels and difficulties in cognitive emotion regulation. However, this notion must be investigated in future studies using different emotion regulation strategies and considering social status. The present review contributes to the understanding of how testosterone and cortisol affect psychological well-being and emotional behavior in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Ilkevič
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Life Science Center, Vilnius University, Lithuania
| | | | - Ramunė Grikšienė
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Life Science Center, Vilnius University, Lithuania.
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Tanaka M, Vécsei L. A Decade of Dedication: Pioneering Perspectives on Neurological Diseases and Mental Illnesses. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1083. [PMID: 38791045 PMCID: PMC11117868 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Welcome to Biomedicines' 10th Anniversary Special Issue, a journey through the human mind's labyrinth and complex neurological pathways [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Tanaka
- HUN-REN-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Hungarian Research Network, University of Szeged, Danube Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Tisza Lajos krt. 113, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - László Vécsei
- HUN-REN-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Hungarian Research Network, University of Szeged, Danube Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Tisza Lajos krt. 113, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary;
- Department of Neurology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
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4
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Li Z, Zhao S, Yang J, Murai T, Funahashi S, Wu J, Zhang Z. Is P3 amplitude associated with greater gaze distraction effect in schizotypy? Schizophr Res 2024; 267:422-431. [PMID: 38640853 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
A recently proposed "Hyperfocusing hypothesis" suggests that schizotypy is associated with a more narrow but more intense way of allocating attention. The current study aims to test a vital prediction of this hypothesis in a social context, that schizotypy may be related to greater difficulty overcoming the distracting effects of gaze. This could cause a longer time to respond to targets that are invalidly cued by gaze. The current study tested this prediction in a modified Posner cueing paradigm by using P3 as an indicator for attentional resources. Seventy-four young healthy individuals with different levels of schizotypy were included, they were asked to detect the location of a target that was cued validly or invalidly by the gaze and head orientation. The results revealed that (a) schizotypy is associated with hyperfocusing on gaze direction, leading to greater difficulty overcoming the distracting effect of gaze. The higher the trait-schizotypy score, the more time needed to respond to targets that were invalidly cued by gaze (b) schizotypy is associated with reduced P3 which is directed by social communicative stimuli. The higher the trait-schizotypy score, the smaller the amplitude of P3 (c) the relationship between schizotypal traits and response times of the gaze-invalid condition is fully intermediated by P3. The findings of the current study suggest the P3 component may be a crucial neural mechanism underlying joint attention deficits in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimo Li
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan; Research Center for Medical Artificial Intelligence, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuo Zhao
- School of Psychology, ShenZhen University, ShenZhen, GuangDong, China.
| | - Jiajia Yang
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Toshiya Murai
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shintaro Funahashi
- Research Center for Medical Artificial Intelligence, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinglong Wu
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan; Research Center for Medical Artificial Intelligence, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhilin Zhang
- Research Center for Medical Artificial Intelligence, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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5
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Akhavan AA, Pang JH, Morrison SD, Satterwhite T. Gender Affirming Facial Surgery-Anatomy and Procedures for Facial Masculinization. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 2024; 36:221-236. [PMID: 38458858 DOI: 10.1016/j.coms.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
For some patients, feminine facial features may cause significant gender dysphoria. Multiple nonsurgical and surgical techniques exist to masculinize facial features. Nonsurgical techniques include testosterone supplementation and dermal fillers. Surgical techniques include soft tissue manipulation, synthetic implants, regenerative scaffolding, or bony reconstruction. Many techniques are derived from experience with cisgender patients, but are adapted with special considerations to differing anatomy between cisgender and transgender men and women. Currently, facial masculinization is less commonly sought than feminization, but demand is likely to increase as techniques are refined and made available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya Andre Akhavan
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 140 Bergen Street, Suite E1620, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; Align Surgical Associates, 2299 Post Street, Suite 207, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - John Henry Pang
- Align Surgical Associates, 2299 Post Street, Suite 207, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Shane D Morrison
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Box 356165, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Thomas Satterwhite
- Align Surgical Associates, 2299 Post Street, Suite 207, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA; Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center.
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Narganes-Pineda C, Paz-Alonso PM, Marotta A, Lupiáñez J, Chica AB. Neural basis of social attention: common and distinct mechanisms for social and nonsocial orienting stimuli. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:11010-11024. [PMID: 37782936 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Social and nonsocial directional stimuli (such as gaze and arrows, respectively) share their ability to trigger attentional processes, although the issue of whether social stimuli generate other additional (and unique) attentional effects is still under debate. In this study, we used the spatial interference paradigm to explore, using functional magnetic resonance imaging, shared and dissociable brain activations produced by gaze and arrows. Results showed a common set of regions (right parieto-temporo-occipital) similarly involved in conflict resolution for gaze and arrows stimuli, which showed stronger co-activation for incongruent than congruent trials. The frontal eye field showed stronger functional connectivity with occipital regions for congruent as compared with incongruent trials, and this effect was enhanced for gaze as compared with arrow stimuli in the right hemisphere. Moreover, spatial interference produced by incongruent (as compared with congruent) arrows was associated with increased functional coupling between the right frontal eye field and a set of regions in the left hemisphere. This result was not observed for incongruent (as compared with congruent) gaze stimuli. The right frontal eye field also showed greater coupling with left temporo-occipital regions for those conditions in which larger conflict was observed (arrow incongruent vs. gaze incongruent trials, and gaze congruent vs. arrow congruent trials). These findings support the view that social and nonsocial stimuli share some attentional mechanisms, while at the same time highlighting other differential effects. Highlights Attentional orienting triggered by social (gaze) and nonsocial (arrow) cues is comparable. When social and nonsocial stimuli are used as targets, qualitatively different behavioral effects are observed. This study explores the neural bases of shared and dissociable neural mechanisms for social and nonsocial stimuli. Shared mechanisms were found in the functional coupling between right parieto-temporo-occipital regions. Dissociable mechanisms were found in the functional coupling between right frontal eye field and ipsilateral and contralateral occipito-temporal regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Narganes-Pineda
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja S/N, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Pedro M Paz-Alonso
- BCBL, Basque Center on Cognition, Brain, and Language, Mikeletegi Pasealekua 69, 20009 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Andrea Marotta
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja S/N, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Lupiáñez
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja S/N, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Ana B Chica
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja S/N, 18071, Granada, Spain
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Xu K, Matsuka T. Conscious observational behavior in recognizing landmarks in facial expressions. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291735. [PMID: 37792713 PMCID: PMC10550163 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated (1) how well humans can recognize facial expressions represented by a small set of landmarks, a commonly used technique in facial recognition in machine learning and (2) differences in conscious observational behaviors to recognized different types of expressions. Our video stimuli consisted of facial expression represented by 68 landmark points. Conscious observational behaviors were measured by movements of the mouse cursor where a small area around it was only visible to participants. We constructed Bayesian models to analyze how personality traits and observational behaviors influenced how participants recognized different facial expressions. We found that humans could recognize positive expressions with high accuracy, similar to machine learning, even when faces were represented by a small set of landmarks. Although humans fared better than machine learning, recognition of negative expressions was not as high as positives. Our results also showed that personality traits and conscious observational behaviors significantly influenced recognizing facial expressions. For example, people with high agreeableness could correctly recognize faces expressing happiness by observing several areas among faces without focusing on any specific part for very long. These results suggest a mechanism whereby personality traits lead to different conscious observational behaviors and recognitions of facial expressions are based on information obtained through those observational behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuangzhe Xu
- Institute for Promotion of Higher Education, Hirosaki University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Matsuka
- Department of Cognitive and Information Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Purpura G, Fumagalli S, Nacinovich R, Riva A, Ornaghi S, Serafini M, Nespoli A. Effects of social and sensory deprivation in newborns: A lesson from the Covid-19 experience. Early Hum Dev 2023; 185:105853. [PMID: 37666054 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2023.105853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infancy is a complex period of human life, in which environmental experiences have a fundamental role for neurodevelopment. Although conditions of social and sensory deprivation are uncommon in high income countries, the Covid-19 pandemic abruptly modified this condition, by depriving people of their social stimuli of daily life. AIM To understand the impact of this deprivation on infants' behaviour, we investigated the short-term effects of isolation and use of individual protective systems by mothers during the first two weeks of life. METHODS The study included 11 mother-infant dyads with mothers tested positive to SARS-CoV-2 at the time of delivery (Covid group) and 11 dyads with a SARS-CoV-2 negative mother as controls. Neurobehavioral, visual, and sensory processing assessments were performed from birth to 3 months of age. RESULTS Findings showed the effect of deprivation on some neurobehavioral abilities of infants in the Covid group; in addition, differences in sensory maturation trends were observed, although they tended to gradually decrease until disappearance at 3 months of age. CONCLUSION These findings suggest the significant effects of early sensory and social deprivation during the first two weeks of life, but also provide several insights on the ability of the brain to restore its aptitudes by deleting or reducing the effects of early deprivation before the critical periods' closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Purpura
- University of Milano Bicocca, School of Medicine and Surgery, Monza, Italy.
| | - Simona Fumagalli
- University of Milano Bicocca, School of Medicine and Surgery, Monza, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unit of Obstetrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Renata Nacinovich
- University of Milano Bicocca, School of Medicine and Surgery, Monza, Italy; Child and Adolescent Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Anna Riva
- University of Milano Bicocca, School of Medicine and Surgery, Monza, Italy; Child and Adolescent Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Sara Ornaghi
- University of Milano Bicocca, School of Medicine and Surgery, Monza, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unit of Obstetrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Marzia Serafini
- University of Milano Bicocca, School of Medicine and Surgery, Monza, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unit of Obstetrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Antonella Nespoli
- University of Milano Bicocca, School of Medicine and Surgery, Monza, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unit of Obstetrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
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9
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Hunter BK, Markant J. 6- to 10-year-old children do not show race-based orienting biases to faces during an online attention capture task. J Exp Child Psychol 2023; 230:105628. [PMID: 36706653 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2023.105628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Research has established that frequency of exposure to own- and other-race faces shapes the development of face processing biases characterized by enhanced attention to and recognition of more familiar own-race faces, that is, the other-race effect (ORE). The ORE is first evident during infancy based on differences in looking to own- versus other-race faces and is later assessed based on recognition memory task performance during childhood and adulthood. Using these measures, researchers have found that race-based face processing biases initially develop during infancy but remain sensitive to experiences with own- and other-race faces through childhood. In contrast, limited work suggests that infants' attention orienting may be less affected by frequency of exposure to own- and other-race faces. However, the plasticity of race-based face processing biases during childhood suggests that biased orienting to own-race faces may develop at later ages following continued exposure to these faces. We addressed this question by examining 6- to 10-year-old children's attention capture by own- and other-race faces during an online task. Children searched for a target among multiple distractors. During some trials, either an own- or other-race face appeared as one of the distractors. Children showed similar target detection performance (omission errors, accuracy, and response times) regardless of whether an own- or other-race face appeared as a distractor. These results differ from research demonstrating race-based biases in attention holding and recognition memory but converge with previous infant research suggesting that attention orienting might not be as strongly affected by frequency of exposure to race-based information during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna K Hunter
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA; Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA.
| | - Julie Markant
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA; Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
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Mundy P. Research on social attention in autism and the challenges of the research domain criteria (RDoC) framework. Autism Res 2023; 16:697-712. [PMID: 36932883 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
The fuzzy nature of categories of psychopathology, such as autism, leads to significant research challenges. Alternatively, focusing research on the study of a common set of important and well-defined psychological constructs across psychiatric conditions may make the fundamental etiological processes of psychopathology easier to discern and treat (Cuthbert, 2022). The development of the research domain criteria (RDoC) framework is designed to guide this new research approach (Insel et al., 2010). However, progress in research may be expected to continually refine and reorganize the understanding of the specifics of these mental processes (Cuthbert & Insel, 2013). Moreover, knowledge gleaned from the study of both normative and atypical development can be mutually informative in the evolution of our understanding of these fundamental processes. A case in point is the study of social attention. This Autism 101 commentary provides an educational summary of research over the last few decades indicates that social attention is major construct in the study of human social-cognitive development, autism and other forms of psychopathology. The commentary also describes how this research can inform the Social Process dimension of the RDoC framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Mundy
- School of Education, Department of Psychiatry and the MIND Institute, University of California at Davis, Davis, California, USA
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McAdams CJ, Efseroff B, McCoy J, Ford L, Timko CA. Social Processing in Eating Disorders: Neuroimaging Paradigms and Research Domain Organizational Constructs. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2022; 24:777-788. [PMID: 36417153 PMCID: PMC10373941 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-022-01395-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Social and environmental factors have been related to both symptom expression of disordered eating in individuals and changes in the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) in populations. Neural differences in processing social information may contribute to EDs. This review assesses the evidence for aberrant neural responses during social processing in EDs. RECENT FINDINGS This review examines how constructs within the social processing domain have been evaluated by neuroimaging paradigms in EDs, including communication, affiliation, and understanding of both oneself and others. Differences related to social processing in EDs include altered processing for self-relevant stimuli, in the context of identity, valence, expectations, and affiliative relationships. Future work is needed to integrate how differences in processing social stimuli relate to alterations in cognitive control and reward as well as specific disordered eating symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie J McAdams
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas at Southwestern Medical School, 6363 Forest Park Rd BL6.204, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Brayden Efseroff
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas at Southwestern Medical School, 6363 Forest Park Rd BL6.204, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jordan McCoy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas at Southwestern Medical School, 6363 Forest Park Rd BL6.204, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Lauren Ford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas at Southwestern Medical School, 6363 Forest Park Rd BL6.204, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - C Alix Timko
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 2716 South Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19146, USA
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Hadders‐Algra M. Emerging signs of autism spectrum disorder in infancy: Putative neural substrate. Dev Med Child Neurol 2022; 64:1344-1350. [PMID: 35801808 PMCID: PMC9796067 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by altered development of the social brain with prominent atypical features in the fronto-temporo-parietal cortex and cerebellum. Early signs of ASD emerge between 6 and 12 months: reduced social communication, slightly less advanced motor development, and repetitive behaviour. The fronto-temporo-parietal cortex and cerebellum play a prominent role in the development of social communication, whereas fronto-parietal-cerebellar networks are involved in the planning of movements, that is, movement selection. Atypical sensory responsivity, a core feature of ASD, may result in impaired development of social communication and motor skills and/or selection of atypical repetitive behaviour. In the first postnatal year, the brain areas involved are characterized by gradual dissolution of temporary structures: the fronto-temporo-parietal cortical subplate and cerebellar external granular layer. It is hypothesized that altered dissolution of the transient structures opens the window for the expression of early signs of ASD arising in the impaired developing permanent networks. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: The early social and motor signs of autism spectrum disorder emerge between the ages of 6 and 12 months. Altered dissolution of transient brain structures in the fronto-temporo-parietal cortex and cerebellum may underlie the emergence of these early signs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mijna Hadders‐Algra
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenDepartment of Paediatrics, Section of Developmental NeurologyGroningenthe Netherlands,University of Groningen, Faculty of Theology and Religious StudiesGroningenthe Netherlands
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Being watched by a humanoid robot and a human: Effects on affect-related psychophysiological responses. Biol Psychol 2022; 175:108451. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Guex R, Meaux E, Mégevand P, Domínguez-Borràs J, Seeck M, Vuilleumier P. Frequency-specific gaze modulation of emotional face processing in the human amygdala. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:4859-4869. [PMID: 36155769 PMCID: PMC10110432 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Determining the social significance of emotional face expression is of major importance for adaptive behavior, and gaze direction provides critical information in this process. The amygdala is implicated in both emotion and gaze processing, but how and when it integrates expression and gaze cues remains unresolved. We tackled this question using intracranial electroencephalography in epileptic patients to assess both amygdala (n = 12) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC; n = 11) time-frequency evoked responses to faces with different emotional expressions and different gaze directions. As predicted, self-relevant threat signals (averted fearful and directed angry faces) elicited stronger amygdala activity than self-irrelevant threat (directed fearful and averted angry faces). Fear effects started at early latencies in both amygdala and OFC (~110 and 160 ms, respectively), while gaze direction effects and their interaction with emotion occurred at later latencies. Critically, the amygdala showed differential gamma band increases to fearful averted gaze (starting ~550 ms) and to angry directed gaze (~470 ms). Moreover, when comparing the 2 self-relevant threat conditions among them, we found higher gamma amygdala activity for averted fearful faces and higher beta OFC activity for angry directed faces. Together, these results reveal for the first time frequency-specific effects of emotion and gaze on amygdala and OFC neural activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Guex
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Geneva-Campus Biotech, HUG, Chem. des Mines 9, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Geneva-HUG, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.,Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Chem. des Mines 9, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Emilie Meaux
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Geneva-Campus Biotech, HUG, Chem. des Mines 9, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Mégevand
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Geneva-Campus Biotech, HUG, Chem. des Mines 9, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Geneva-HUG, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Judith Domínguez-Borràs
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Geneva-Campus Biotech, HUG, Chem. des Mines 9, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland.,Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Chem. des Mines 9, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona: Passeig de laVall d'Hebron, 171 08035 Barcelona
| | - Margitta Seeck
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Geneva-HUG, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patrik Vuilleumier
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Geneva-Campus Biotech, HUG, Chem. des Mines 9, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland.,Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Chem. des Mines 9, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
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15
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Jantzen KJ, McNamara N, Harris A, Schubert A, Brooks M, Seifert M, Symons LA. Contrast reversal of the iris and sclera increases the face sensitive N170. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:987217. [PMID: 36158625 PMCID: PMC9491205 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.987217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated that reversing the contrast of the eye region, which includes the eyebrows, affects the N170 ERP. To selectively assess the impact of just the eyes, the present study evaluated the N170 in response to reversing contrast polarity of just the iris and sclera in upright and inverted face stimuli. Contrast reversal of the eyes increased the amplitude of the N170 for upright faces, but not for inverted faces, suggesting that the contrast of eyes is an important contributor to the N170 ERP.
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16
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Battaglia S, Fabius JH, Moravkova K, Fracasso A, Borgomaneri S. The Neurobiological Correlates of Gaze Perception in Healthy Individuals and Neurologic Patients. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030627. [PMID: 35327431 PMCID: PMC8945205 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to adaptively follow conspecific eye movements is crucial for establishing shared attention and survival. Indeed, in humans, interacting with the gaze direction of others causes the reflexive orienting of attention and the faster object detection of the signaled spatial location. The behavioral evidence of this phenomenon is called gaze-cueing. Although this effect can be conceived as automatic and reflexive, gaze-cueing is often susceptible to context. In fact, gaze-cueing was shown to interact with other factors that characterize facial stimulus, such as the kind of cue that induces attention orienting (i.e., gaze or non-symbolic cues) or the emotional expression conveyed by the gaze cues. Here, we address neuroimaging evidence, investigating the neural bases of gaze-cueing and the perception of gaze direction and how contextual factors interact with the gaze shift of attention. Evidence from neuroimaging, as well as the fields of non-invasive brain stimulation and neurologic patients, highlights the involvement of the amygdala and the superior temporal lobe (especially the superior temporal sulcus (STS)) in gaze perception. However, in this review, we also emphasized the discrepancies of the attempts to characterize the distinct functional roles of the regions in the processing of gaze. Finally, we conclude by presenting the notion of invariant representation and underline its value as a conceptual framework for the future characterization of the perceptual processing of gaze within the STS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Battaglia
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Jasper H. Fabius
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G128QB, UK; (J.H.F.); (K.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Katarina Moravkova
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G128QB, UK; (J.H.F.); (K.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Alessio Fracasso
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G128QB, UK; (J.H.F.); (K.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Sara Borgomaneri
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (S.B.)
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