Catteano: Action chains in autism

Question 1

function mirror neuron system

1. parieto-frontal
2. insular-cingulate

Answer 1

1. understanding intentions
2. emotion recognition

Question 2

possible cause for empathy deficits in autism?

Answer 2

impaired organizing of motor chains

in execution and observation of actions

Question 3

how and what Exp1 Cattaneo

Answer 3

observing condition: grasp + eat vs grasp + container

measurement of mouth muscles (MH)

TD: activation in MH from reaching phase

autistic: no activity
- > lack of understanding intention?

Question 4

how and what Exp3 catteano

Answer 4

acting condition: grasp+eat vs grasp+container

TD: MH active before grasping

autistic: MH only active while bringing to mouth phase
- > lack of complete motor chain

Question 5

how and what Exp3 catteano

Answer 5

acting condition: Hand/foot movement

TD: preparatory activity observed

autistic: no preperatory activity
- > problem: chaining single motor acts to whole

Question 6

Conclusion catteano: chaining organization

Answer 6

TD: forming complete chain of single motor acts

• > final muscle active from first element on
• > observing: chain also competely active (understanding intention)
  autistic: failure to organize motor chain in forward fashion
• >observing: failure to mirror motor chain leads to trouble understanding the intention in someones action

Question 7

understanding intention: 2 processes

Answer 7

1. what is he doing? no understanding of mental state required
2. why is he doing it? understanding of mental state required