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

2. 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

3. Participants ASD children  N = 24  20 males, 4 females  Mean=11.6 yrs  7.0-15.9  IQ = 82.1  46-127 ASD children  N = 24  20 males, 4 females  Mean=11.6 yrs  7.0-15.9  IQ = 82.1  46-127 TD children  N = 25  14 males, 11 females  Mean = 11.0  8.0-14.9  IQ = 106.9  85-142 TD children  N = 25  14 males, 11 females  Mean = 11.0  8.0-14.9  IQ = 106.9  85-142

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.”

8. 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 http://www.baillement.com/f.mri-article.html  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 http://www.baillement.com/f.mri-article.html  Atypical patterns of face fixation - perception of the eye regions is most important for eliciting yawns  Future studies with eye tracking?