Selective Disruption of Sociocognitive Structural Brain Networks in Autism and Alexithymia

摘要: Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by abnormal social cognition. A core feature of ASC is disrupted Theory Mind (ToM), our ability to take the mental perspective others. also associated with alexithymia, a trait altered emotional interoception and empathy. Here, we applied structural MRI covariance analysis assess whether alexithymia differentially affect brain networks sociocognitive socioaffective functions. Based on previous functional findings, expected ToM (centered dorsomedial prefontal cortex [dmPFC], temporo-parietal junction [TPJ]) in ASC, while would centered fronto-insular (FI), regions emotion Relative controls, indeed showed reduced dmPFC TPJ, but not within FI networks. Irrespective was negatively modulated extending from posterior regions. Network findings were complemented self-reports, indicating decreased taking normal empathic concern ASC. Our results show divergent effects inter-regional networks, suggesting that mediating processes may be separable processing.