scholarly journals Autism-linked gene FoxP1 selectively regulates the cultural transmission of learned vocalizations

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. eabd2827
Author(s):  
F. Garcia-Oscos ◽  
T. M. I. Koch ◽  
H. Pancholi ◽  
M. Trusel ◽  
V. Daliparthi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Observational Learning ◽  
Cultural Transmission ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Learning Deficit ◽  
Linked Gene ◽  
Behavioral Learning ◽  
Selective Learning ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by impaired learning of social skills and language. Memories of how parents and other social models behave are used to guide behavioral learning. How ASD-linked genes affect the intertwined aspects of observational learning and behavioral imitation is not known. Here, we examine how disrupted expression of the ASD gene FOXP1, which causes severe impairments in speech and language learning, affects the cultural transmission of birdsong between adult and juvenile zebra finches. FoxP1 is widely expressed in striatal-projecting forebrain mirror neurons. Knockdown of FoxP1 in this circuit prevents juvenile birds from forming memories of an adult song model but does not interrupt learning how to vocally imitate a previously memorized song. This selective learning deficit is associated with potent disruptions to experience-dependent structural and synaptic plasticity in mirror neurons. Thus, FoxP1 regulates the ability to form memories essential to the cultural transmission of behavior.

“Broken mirror” as the earliest symptom of autism spectrum disorders – A review of selected research reports

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (38) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Dorota Prędkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Structural Neuroimaging ◽  
Scientific World ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

The article presents a review of selected experimental studies and studies on structural neuroimaging in autism based on the latest scientific reports. Many researchers agree that thanks to mirror neurons, we learn through imitation, we are able to read the emotions of others, we are "social beings." Also, the action of mirror neurons is associated with theory of mind, the so-called mentalization. Therefore, it should be assumed that mirror neurons do not work properly in people with autism, which is called the broken mirror hypothesis. Despite the fact that the concept of mirror neurons met with severe criticism in the scientific world, it deserves a chance and attention in anticipation of further, reliable research.

Unbroken mirror neurons in autism spectrum disorders

2010 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 981-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang-Teng Fan ◽  
Jean Decety ◽  
Chia-Yen Yang ◽  
Ji-Lin Liu ◽  
Yawei Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Autism-linked gene FoxP1 selectively regulates the cultural transmission of learned vocalizations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Garcia-Oscos ◽  
Therese Koch ◽  
Harshida Pancholi ◽  
Massimo Trusel ◽  
Vamsi Daliparthi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Transmission ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Social Experience ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Experiences ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Speech And Language ◽  
Linked Gene ◽  
Speech And Language Development

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by impaired learning of culturally transmitted behaviors like social skills, speech, and language1–3. These behaviors are learned by copying parents and other social models during development, a two-stage process that involves forming memories of appropriate behaviors during social experiences and then using those memories to guide imitation. How ASD-linked genes impair these often-intertwined aspects of learning is not known, thereby limiting our understanding of the developmental progression of ASD and the targeting of therapeutic interventions. Here we show that these aspects of learning are dissociable and that the ASD-linked gene FoxP1 selectively impairs learning from social experience, but not behavioral imitation. Haploinsufficiency of FOXP1 in humans causes FOXP1 syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder typified by severe disruptions in speech and language development, and other ASD-associated symptoms4,5. We tested how knockdown of FoxP1 (FP1-KD) affects the cultural transmission of vocal behaviors in zebra finches, a songbird that learns by memorizing and vocally copying the song of an adult ‘song-tutor’. We find that FP1-KD blocks song learning in juvenile birds by selectively impairing their ability to encode a memory during social experiences with a songtutor. These learning deficits are linked to disruptions in experience-driven structural and functional plasticity. However, if birds are exposed to tutor-song prior to FP1-KD, their ability to imitate that song during development is unaffected. Thus, FP1-KD impairs cultural transmission of vocalizations by disrupting the ability to form appropriate vocal memories, yet spares the ability to use previously acquired memories to guide vocal learning. This indicates that learning from social experience may be particularly vulnerable in FOXP1 syndrome.

scholarly journals Theory of Mind Deficits and Neurophysiological Operations in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Andreou ◽  
Vasileia Skrimpa
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Theory of Mind (ToM) is a multifaceted skill set which encompasses a variety of cognitive and neurobiological aspects. ToM deficits have long been regarded as one of the most disabling features in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. One of the theories that attempts to account for these impairments is that of “broken mirror neurons”. The aim of this review is to present the most recent available studies with respect to the connection between the function of mirror neurons in individuals with ASD and ToM-reflecting sensorimotor, social and attentional stimuli. The majority of these studies approach the theory of broken mirror neurons critically. Only studies from the last 15 years have been taken into consideration. Findings from electroencephalography (EEG) studies so far indicate that further research is necessary to shed more light on the mechanisms underlying the connection(s) between ToM and neurophysiological operations.

scholarly journals A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE INFLUENCE OF MIRROR NEURONS IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Salles de Andrade ◽  
Milena Pereira Pondé
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of experimental studies performed to assess the role of mirror neurons in the pathophysiology of autism. Four papers reported that areas of mirror neurons (MN) were under-active in autistic patients, giving weight to the theory of MN as a cause of ASD. Three papers indicated that MN were activated during the proposed activities, advocating atypical activation of MN, but not necessarily hypoactivation of these areas. One of the articles reported that only part of the MN system or just those areas of interconnected neurons are dysfunctional in autism. Analysis of the selected studies showed a correlation between dysfunction of the mirror neuron system and the main symptoms of autism such as deficits in social cognition, complete absence or a reduction in the individual’s interaction with his/her social environment and a failure in the neural mechanisms of imitation.

Mirror Neurons and Mirror-Touch Synesthesia

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omer Linkovski ◽  
Naama Katzin ◽  
Moti Salti
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Goal Understanding

Since mirror neurons were introduced to the neuroscientific community more than 20 years ago, they have become an elegant and intuitive account for different cognitive mechanisms (e.g., empathy, goal understanding) and conditions (e.g., autism spectrum disorders). Recently, mirror neurons were suggested to be the mechanism underlying a specific type of synesthesia. Mirror-touch synesthesia is a phenomenon in which individuals experience somatosensory sensations when seeing someone else being touched. Appealing as it is, careful delineation is required when applying this mechanism. Using the mirror-touch synesthesia case, we put forward theoretical and methodological issues that should be addressed before relying on the mirror-neurons account.

PECULIARITIES OF EEG DIAGNOSTICS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2021 ◽  
pp. 69-82
Author(s):  
D.I. Chizh ◽  
E.V. Petrova ◽  
V.S. Muzhikov ◽  
E.N. Obedkina
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Rett Syndrome ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Alpha Rhythm ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Mu Rhythm ◽  
Brain Functioning ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Autistic Disorders ◽  
The Brain

Autism spectrum disorders are now occupying an increasingly large niche among childhood diseases and, according to some experts, have the potential to become a pandemic. Unlike many other disorders, autism spectrum disorders do not have a clear, unified mechanism, either at the cellular, molecular or structural levels. Currently, much literature is devoted to this topic, but there is no scientific consensus about the true reason. Despite a similar clinical picture, the etiopathogenetic mechanisms of these disorders can be different: from dysontogenesis and genetic mutations to exogenous factors. This article presents EEG patterns for various phenotypes and causes of autistic disorders. The functional variability of the brain functioning at different stages of the disease is observed. Theta rhythm (long-lasting and correlating with regression periods) dominates in the EEG picture of autistic disorders in Fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome and atypical childhood psychosis. This fact makes it possible to assume that the pattern is peculiar to severe autistic disorders. In case of mild autism spectrum disorders or during remission, the beta-rhythm index and the sensorimotor rhythm increase. The alpha rhythm is often abnormal and falls off the age norms in frequency characteristics. Alpha rhythm indicates a favorable prognosis for patients with autism spectrum disorders. The functional variability of the brain functioning at different disease stages was observed. Keywords: autism spectrum disorders, autism, EEG, Kanner's syndrome, Asperger's syndrome, Rett syndrome, infantile psychosis, atypical autism, mirror neurons, mu rhythm. Расстройства аутистического спектра в настоящее время занимают все большую нишу в структуре детских заболеваний и, по мнению некоторых специалистов, принимают масштабы эпидемии. В отличие от многих других известных расстройств расстройства аутистического спектра не имеют четкого единого механизма ни на клеточном, ни на молекулярном, ни на структурном уровнях. В настоящее время имеется большое количество работ, посвященных данной теме, но ученые так и не пришли к единому мнению об истинной причине. Несмотря на схожую клиническую картину этиопатогенетические механизмы развития данных расстройств могут быть различными: от явлений дизонтогенеза и генетических мутаций до влияния экзогенных факторов. В данной статье представлены ЭЭГ-паттерны при различных фенотипах и причинах возникновения аутистических расстройств. Прослежена функциональная изменчивость работы мозга в различные стадии заболевания. В ЭЭГ-картине аутистических нарушений при синдроме Мартна – Белла, синдроме Ретта и атипичном детском психозе преобладает тета-ритм, как длительно, так и во взаимосвязи с периодами регресса, что дает возможность предполагать, что данный паттерн присущ тяжелым аутистическим расстройствам. При более легких расстройствах аутистического спектра или в периоды ремиссии увеличивается индекс бета-ритма, наблюдается нарастание сенсомоторного ритма. Альфа-ритм зачастую носит нерегулярный характер и несколько отстает по частотных характеристикам от возрастных норм. Наличие альфа-ритма свидетельствует о благоприятном прогнозе у пациентов с РАС. Прослежена функциональная изменчивость работы мозга в различные стадии заболевания. Ключевые слова: расстройства аутистического спектра, аутизм, ЭЭГ, синдром Каннера, синдром Аспергера, синдром Ретта, инфантильный психоз, атипичный аутизм, зеркальные нейроны, мю-ритм.

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