Previous studies have indicated that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently face challenges in recognizing faces and emotional expressions. Many theorize that this contributes to the social communication difficulties seen in those with autism.
However, the issue with this perception is that we have not had definitive evidence regarding how the brains of individuals with autism interpret the human face and body. This gap has left us with numerous questions, but recent research conducted by Waseda University in Japan may challenge this notion and potentially alter our understanding of how people with ASD perceive the faces and bodies of others.
Challenging established beliefs
The notion that individuals with ASD typically struggle with social communication due to their brain’s perception of others is a long-standing belief. Yet, as mentioned earlier, there has been no scientific validation to support this claim. In the latest research from Waseda University, scientists obtained detailed neuroimages of 23 adults with ASD and compared them to those of 23 typically developing (TD) adults. Surprisingly, the results were not as markedly different as anticipated.
The researchers expected to observe variations in the lateral occipitotemporal cortex (LOTC) when examining the images. This brain region is recognized for processing visual information related to the human body. It was previously assumed that individuals with autism or ASD would have that information organized differently within their LOTC.
However, this was not the case. Upon analyzing the data, the researchers discovered that both the ASD and TD groups exhibited comparable activation structures in their LOTCs. This finding could challenge the theory that individuals with ASD perceive the human body in a unique manner, which contributes to their social communication difficulties. Furthermore, the researchers noted that there were no significant discrepancies in the size or strength of LOTC activation between the two groups.
“These results indicate that adults with autism process visual body information similarly to neurotypical adults,” Professor Hirotaka Kurihara stated. “[This] calls into question long-held beliefs that variations in body-related perception play a role in the social challenges faced in ASD.”
To verify the findings, the researchers also examined whether brain patterns could be associated with individual differences. Yet, they found no strong correlations in this area as well. Consequently, while it remains accurate that individuals with ASD may find it difficult to interpret emotions or intentions from expressions and gestures, this difficulty does not appear to be linked to how their brains perceive the human body or face, potentially allowing further research to delve into the true underlying causes.
