Browsing by Author "Seppälä, Vilja"

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disability and its worldwide prevalence is estimated to be approximately 0,76 %. The etiology of ASD is not yet known and it has been suggested that dysfunction of the mirror neuron system might play a role in the development of ASD. The human mirror neuron system consists of neurons that fire when one is acting and when one is observing the same action done by someone else. Therefore it can be said, that the mirror neuron system ’mirrors’ the actions done by other people. This thesis presents findings of the relationship between the function of the mirror neuron system and ASD. This thesis is a review including studies examining the relationship between the function of the mirror neuron system and ASD. The focus is on brain imaging studies, but behavioral studies are also presented. The results suggest that it is not justified to assume correlation between dysfunction of the mirror neuron system and ASD. Thus, developing and implementing interventions and therapies that aim to activate the mirror neuron system cannot be seen as beneficial. The studies focusing on the mirror neuron system have offered a valuable point of view to ASD by examining different brain areas than previous studies. Additional research on ASD is still highly important.