Continuing to look in the mirror : A review of neuroscientific evidence for the Broken Mirror Hypothesis, EP-M model and STORM model of Autism Spectrum Conditions

The Mirror Neuron System (MNS) has been argued to be a key brain system responsible for action understanding and imitation. Subsequently, MNS dysfunction has therefore been proposed to explain the social deficits manifested within Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), an approach referred to as the Broken Mirror Hypothesis (BMH). Despite excitement surrounding this hypothesis, extensive research has produced insufficient evidence to support the BMH in its pure form and instead two alternative models have been formulated: EP-M model and the Social Top-down Response Modulation (STORM) model. All models suggest some dysfunction regarding the MNS in ASC, be that within the MNS itself or systems that regulate the MNS. This literature review compares these three models in regard to recent neuroscientific investigations. This review concludes that there is insufficient support for the BMH, but converging evidence supports an integrated EP-M and STORM model

Reply to Bowman et al: Building the foundations for moving mu suppression research forward

This article forms a reply to a comment on our original manuscript "Mu suppression - a good measure of the human mirror neuron system?

Important methodological issues regarding the use of TMS to investigate interoceptive processing: a comment on Pollatos et al (2016)

Comment on: Changes in interoceptive processes following brain stimulation by Pollatos, Herbert, Mai & Kammer, 201

A Performance Effectiveness Model for the Assessment of Anxiety\u27s Effect on Muscle Activation in Trumpet Players

The purpose of this research study is to analyze the relationship between anxiety and muscle activation in undergraduate trumpet players. sEMG will be used to measure three muscle groups: the upper trapezius, sternoclidomatoid, and masseter. This data will be analyzed along with State Trait Anxiety Inventory anxiety reports of each subject, and with VAS data of perceived anxiety after performing the repeated playing trials. Through covariate data obtained from the anxiety reports and an anxiety-induction experimental protocol, we hope to discover what effect anxiety will have on general muscle activation and fatigue in trumpet players. We hypothesize that subjects with higher anxiety levels will display greater levels of muscle activation and fatigue over the course of playing the trumpet as compared to subjects with lower anxiety levels. Preliminary data analysis has shown that there is no significant difference in VAS scales between the anxiety-induced group and the control group; the rest of the data analysis is still in progress.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1085/thumbnail.jp

Towards reproducible and respectful autism research: Combining open and participatory autism research practices

Background Open research broadly refers to a set of practices that aim to increase transparency, rigor, reproducibility and inclusivity of research. Participatory research refers to incorporating the views and sharing power with the autism community to decide what research gets done, how it is done and how it is implemented. There is growing interest in both open and participatory practices in autism research. To date, however, these practices have tended to be considered separately. Method In this paper, we outline the value of both open and participatory approaches to the autism research field, highlighting key points of overlap. Results We propose three core principles underpinning open and participatory autism research: (1) the need for adequate expertise and infrastructure to facilitate high quality research, (2) the need for a greater degree of accessibility at all stages of the research process, and (3) the need to foster trusting relationships between the autistic and research communities. Conclusion There are various challenges and opportunities of adopting open and participatory principles in autism research. We hope our principles support researchers to embed these approaches more fully within their work.publishedVersio

Is alexithymia characterised by impaired interoception?:Further evidence, the importance of control variables, and the problems with the Heartbeat Counting Task

Interoception, the perception of one’s internal state, is commonly quantified using the heartbeat counting task (HCT) – which is thought to be a measure of cardiac interoceptive sensitivity (accuracy). Interoceptive sensitivity has been associated with a number of clinical traits and aspects of higher order cognition, including emotion processing and decision-making. It has been proposed that alexithymia (difficulties identifying and describing one’s own emotions) is associated with impaired interoceptive sensitivity, but new research questions this association. Problematically, much evidence attesting to the absence of this association has been conducted using the HCT, a measure affected by various physiological and psychological factors. Here, we present novel data (N = 287) examining the relationship between alexithymia and HCT performance, controlling for a number of potential confounds. Inclusion of these control measures reveals the predicted negative relationship between alexithymia and HCT performance. Results are discussed with regard to difficulties quantifying interoceptive sensitivity using the HCT

Crossmodal classification of mu rhythm activity during action observation and execution suggests specificity to somatosensory features of actions.

The alpha mu rhythm (8-13 Hz) has been considered to reflect mirror neuron activity due to the fact that it is attenuated by both action observation and action execution. The putative link between mirror neuron system activity and the mu rhythm has been used to study the involvement of the mirror system in a wide range of socio-cognitive processes and clinical disorders. However, previous research has failed to convincingly demonstrate the specificity of the mu rhythm, meaning that it is unclear whether the mu rhythm reflects mirror neuron activity. It also remains unclear if mu rhythm suppression during action observation reflects the processing of motor or tactile information. In an attempt to assess the validity of the mu rhythm as a measure of mirror neuron activity, we used crossmodal pattern classification to assess the specificity of EEG mu rhythm response to action varying in terms of action type (whole-hand or precision grip), concurrent tactile stimulation (stimulation or no stimulation), or object use (transitive or intransitive actions) in twenty human participants. The main results reveal that above-chance crossmodal classification of mu rhythm activity was obtained in the central channels for tactile stimulation and action transitivity but not for action type. Furthermore, traditional univariate analyses applied to the same data were insensitive to differences between conditions. By calling into question the relationship between mirror system activity and the mu rhythm, these results have important implications for the use and interpretation of mu rhythm activity

Must replication attempts be battlegrounds?

Publishing failed replications can be like throwing down the academic gauntlet: we enter into a combative narrative, where either the original study’s finding was “false” or “unreliable”, or the replicators did a poor job, having missed a crucial methodological detail, sampled their participants differently, or so on. This combative approach towards replications is evident in the article by Huber, Potter, and Huszar (2018), who argue that reviewers of a replication must necessarily be different from the original authors of a study. One can appreciate that having an original study author amongst the reviewers may lead to hostile reviews that halt publication, if the replication has not produced the desired result. Of course, this problem does not just apply to replications, but to all studies that pose a threat to a researcher’s pet-theory, or a shining publication. As scientists, we are supposed to take an objective approach to data, not allowing biases or vested interests in particular theories or papers to cloud our judgement. It follows that discussion about conflicting findings should be constructive, not destructive. Blocking the publication of a “failed” replication of one’s own work is obviously not aiding scientific progress, but I am not convinced that banning original authors from the chance to review, comment on, or contribute to replication attempts is constructive either

Autistic women’s diagnostic experiences: interactions with identity, and impacts on well-being

Objective There has been suggestion that current diagnostic instruments are not sufficient for detecting and diagnosing autism in women, and research suggests that a lack of diagnosis could negatively impact autistic women’s wellbeing and identity. This study aimed to explore the wellbeing and identity of autistic women at three points of their diagnostic journey: self-identifying or awaiting assessment, currently undergoing assessment or recently diagnosed, and more than a year post-diagnosis. Methods Mixed-methods were used to explore this with 96 women who identified as autistic and within one of these three groups. Participants completed an online questionnaire, and a sub-sample of 24 of these women participated in a semi-structured interview. Results Wellbeing was found to differ significantly across groups in three domains: satisfaction with health, psychological health, and environmental health. Validation was found to be a central issue for all autistic women, which impacted their diagnosis, identity, and wellbeing. The sub-themes of don’t forget I’m autistic; what now?; having to be the professional and no one saw me were also identified. Conclusion These results suggest that autistic women’s wellbeing and identity differ in relation to their position on the diagnostic journey in a non-linear manner. We suggest that training on the presentation of autism in women for primary and secondary healthcare professionals, along with improved diagnostic and support pathways for autistic adult women could go some way to support wellbeing