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Valence Scaling of Dynamic Facial Expressions is Altered in High-Functioning Subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorders: an fMRI Study

Abstract  

FMRI was performed with the dynamic facial expressions fear and happiness. This was done to detect differences in valence
processing between 25 subjects with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and 27 typically developing controls. Valence scaling
was abnormal in ASDs. Positive valence induces lower deactivation and abnormally strong activity in ASD in multiple regions.
Negative valence increased deactivation in visual areas in subjects with ASDs. The most marked differences between valences
focus on fronto-insular and temporal regions. This supports the idea that subjects with ASDs may have difficulty in passive
processing of the salience and mirroring of expressions. When the valence scaling of brain activity fails, in contrast to
controls, these areas activate and/or deactivate inappropriately during facial stimuli presented dynamically.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Pages 1-14
  • DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1332-8
  • Authors
    • Jukka S. Rahko, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Child Psychiatry, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 26, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland
    • Jyri-Johan Paakki, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 50, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland
    • Tuomo H. Starck, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 50, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland
    • Juha Nikkinen, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 50, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland
    • David L. Pauls, Center for Human Genetic Research, Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge St, 6th, Floor, Boston, MA 02114, USA
    • Jari V. Kätsyri, Mind and Brain Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Computational Science (BECS), The Aalto University School of Science and Technology, University of Aalto, P.O. Box 12200, 00076 Espoo, Finland
    • Eira M. Jansson-Verkasalo, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Philosophy, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN), University of Turku, Assistentinkatu 7, 20017 Oulu, Finland
    • Alice S. Carter, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125, USA
    • Tuula M. Hurtig, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Child Psychiatry, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 26, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland
    • Marja-Leena Mattila, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Child Psychiatry, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 26, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland
    • Katja K. Jussila, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Child Psychiatry, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 26, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland
    • Jukka J. Remes, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 50, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland
    • Sanna A. Kuusikko-Gauffin, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Child Psychiatry, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 26, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland
    • Mikko E. Sams, Mind and Brain Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Computational Science (BECS), The Aalto University School of Science and Technology, University of Aalto, P.O. Box 12200, 00076 Espoo, Finland
    • Sven Bölte, Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
    • Hanna E. Ebeling, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Child Psychiatry, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 26, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland
    • Irma K. Moilanen, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Child Psychiatry, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 26, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland
    • Osmo Tervonen, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 50, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland
    • Vesa Kiviniemi, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 50, 90029 OYS Oulu, Finland