Brain activity during facial processing in autism spectrum disorder: an activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta‐analysis of neuroimaging studies. (15th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Costa, Cristiano; Cristea, Ioana Alina; Dal Bò, Elisa; Melloni, Caterina; Gentili, Claudio
• Is Part Of: Journal of child psychology and psychiatry and allied disciplines. Volume 62:Number 12(2021)
• Page Start: 1412
• Page End: 1424
• Publication Date: 2021-03-15
• Subjects: Functional MRI (fMRI) -- autism spectrum disorders -- face perception -- meta‐analysis; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.4
• DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13412
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9630

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Though aberrant face processing is a hallmark of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), findings on accompanying brain activity are divergent. Therefore, we conducted an activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta‐analysis of studies examining brain activity during face processing. Methods: We searched PubMed and PsycINFO using combinations of terms as 'fMRI', 'Autism Spectrum Disorder', 'Face Perception'. Eligible studies reported on DSM‐diagnosed ASD individuals, compared to controls (HC), using face stimuli presented in fMRI and reporting whole‐brain analysis coordinates. We compared two approaches: 'convergence of differences' (primary analysis) using study‐level coordinates from ASD vs. HC contrasts, and 'differences in convergence' (secondary) pooling coordinates within each group separately, and contrasting the resultant ALE maps. Results: Thirty‐five studies (655 ASD and 668 HC) were included. Primary analysis identified a cluster in amygdala/parahippocampus where HC showed greater convergence of activation. Secondary analysis yielded no significant results. Conclusions: Results suggest that ASD dysfunction in face processing relies on structures involved in emotional processing rather than perception. We also demonstrate that the two ALE methodologies lead to divergent results.