Functional Neuroimaging of Social Cognition in Pervasive Developmental Disorders

An emerging literature on the neuroanatomical correlates of social cognition in pervasive developmental disorders is reviewed. Studies conducted with high-functioning adults with autism or Asperger's syndrome highlight patterns of decreased activation in ventromedial prefrontal cortex, temporo-parietal junction, amygdala, and periamygdaloid cortex, along with aberrantly increased activation in primary sensory cortices. Future studies should extend these important initial results to younger and more severely affected subjects.