Imitation, mirror neurons and autism

• Published in: Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Vol. 25; no. 4; pp. 287 - 295
• Main Authors: Williams, J.H.G., Whiten, A., Suddendorf, T., Perrett, D.I.
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Autism; Autistic Disorder - pathology; Autistic Disorder - psychology; Behavior - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Humans; Imitation; Medical sciences; Mirror neurons; Miscellaneous; neurodevelopmental disorders; Neurons - physiology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Theory of mind; Autism; Theory of mind; Mirror neurons; Imitation; Human; Central nervous system; Information processing; Cognition; Review; Frontal cortex; Echolalia; Brain (vertebrata)
• ISSN: 0149-7634; 1873-7528
• DOI: 10.1016/S0149-7634(01)00014-8

Various deficits in the cognitive functioning of people with autism have been documented in recent years but these provide only partial explanations for the condition. We focus instead on an imitative disturbance involving difficulties both in copying actions and in inhibiting more stereotyped mimicking, such as echolalia. A candidate for the neural basis of this disturbance may be found in a recently discovered class of neurons in frontal cortex, ‘mirror neurons’ (MNs). These neurons show activity in relation both to specific actions performed by self and matching actions performed by others, providing a potential bridge between minds. MN systems exist in primates without imitative and ‘theory of mind’ abilities and we suggest that in order for them to have become utilized to perform social cognitive functions, sophisticated cortical neuronal systems have evolved in which MNs function as key elements. Early developmental failures of MN systems are likely to result in a consequent cascade of developmental impairments characterised by the clinical syndrome of autism.