ANNALS 69 MINI REVIEW The Social Brain Network and Autism Vivek Misra The Institute of Neurological Sciences, VHS Multispecialty Hospital and Research Institute, RG Salai, Taramani Chennai – 600113 Tamil Nadu, India ABSTRACT Available research data in Autism suggests the role of a network of brain areas, often known as the ‘social brain’. Recent studies highlight the role of genetic mutations as underlying patho-mechanism in Autism. This mini review, discusses the basic concepts behind social brain networks, theory of mind and genetic factors associated with Autism. It critically evaluates and explores the relationship between the behavioral outcomes and genetic factors providing a conceptual framework for understanding of autism. KEYWORDS: Autism, Behavioral Genetics, Brain Networks Corresponding Author: Vivek Misra, The Institute of Neurological Sciences, VHS Multispecialty Hospital and Research Institute, RG Salai, Taramani Chennai – 600113 Tamil Nadu, India Tel.: +91-44-22541349, E-mail:
[email protected] doi : 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.210208 Introduction the cerebellum.2 The corpus callosum and worlds. They can master complex technical major inter-hemispheric connection tracts operations but cannot learn from verbal in- It is hypothesized that the deficits in social are smaller than non-autistic, age- and structions and environmental clues, act on cognition and related cognitive functions gender-matched individuals. hints or understand humor or irony. in Autism results from reduced synchro- nization between these key brain regions Social brain network in autism ToM deficits in autism have been linked to during different social and emotional abnormal patterns of hypo activation in tasks: recent research suggests autism to Neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological superior temporal gyrus, superior tempo- be a ‘neural connectivity disorder’.