Fewer 'mirror neurons' in the brains of autistic children: study

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2007

CHICAGO (AFP) — Autistic children, who are hindered in their social interactions and communication skills, appear to have fewer "mirror neurons" brain cells that govern empathy and learning by observation, according to a study released Thursday.

"Our findings suggest that the inability of autistic children to relate to people and life situations in an ordinary way may be the result of an abnormally functioning mirror neuron system," said Dr Manzar Ashtari of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania.

Using a novel imaging technique called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), that tracks the movement of water molecules in the brain, Ashtari's research team was able to highlight subtle but potentially significant changes in the volume of gray matter in the...