Table 1

Relevant studies showing the association of the mirror neurons with autism.

Authors/Publication YearCountryStudy designPopulationSample sizeDiagnostic criteriaMain findings
Marshall and Meltzoff,74 2014USAReviewN/AN/AN/AEarly development of the MNS suggests it functions to facilitate social learning, social reciprocity, and to allow infants to communicate with and respond to their environment
Cross and Iacoboni,76 2014USACross-sectional20 females and 17 males, after exclusion a total of 32 participants were included37N/AWhen an action has not been previously mapped, automatic response and motor resonance are suppressed
Gallese et al,78 1996ItalyCross-sectionalMonkey2N/A532 (17%) neurons in F5 of the macaque monkey fulfilled the criterion to be referred to as mirror neuron
Murata et al,80 1997JapanCross-sectionalMonkey1N/ACanonical neurons exist, these are the neurons that respond just by observing a graspable object without performing any action
Masconi et al,81 2015USAReviewN/AN/AN/ASize and cerebellar circuitry is also affected in autism spectrum disorder
Bailey et al,82 1998United KingdomCross-sectional6 ASD brains6ADIFewer cerebellar Purkinje cells are seen in ASD patients compared to controls
Whitney et al,86 2009USACross-sectional6 autistic and 4 controls10N/AFewer cerebellar Purkinje cells are seen in ASD patients compared to controls
Wegiel et al,87 2014USACross-sectional21 subject brains 18 controls (total 28 were selected after inclusion exclusion criteria)39Postmortem application of the ADI-RFewer cerebellar Purkinje cells are seen in ASD patients compared to controls
Von Hofsten and Rosander,91 2012SwedenReviewN/AN/AN/AMirror neurons possibly exist in cerebellum
Pohl et al,100 2013GermanyCross-sectional32 (27 finally selected)32N/ADuring imitation, higher activity in right hemisphere in the happy compared to the non-emotional condition in the right anterior insula and the right amygdala, plus pre-supplementary motor area, middle temporal gyrus and the inferior frontal gyrus was observed
Van der Gaag et al,102 2007The NetherlandsCross-sectional17 healthy young adults(9 F, 8 M)17N/A but Edinburgh handedness Questionnaire as selection criteriaAmygdala was activated during observation of emotional and non-emotional facial expressions
Sussman et al,108 2015CanadaCross-sectional194 autistic participants and 280 Developing control participants378DSM-IVIncrease in size of the brain lobes of autistic indivdiuals.
Solso et al,110 2015USACross-sectional61 ASD patients 33 TD (typically developing)94Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Vineland-II Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition. Mullen Scales of Early LearningIncrease size of the frontal lobe in ASD patients
Sato et al,119 2014JapanCross-Sectional29 ASD 12 Asperger 17 Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)58DSM-IV-TRAge-dependent gray matter differences in prefrontal cortex, primary sensorimotor cortex, and temporoparietal junction
Doyle-Thomas et al,120 2014Canada& USACross-Sectional20 ASD patients 16 Controls36DSM-IVAutistic patients have elevated glutamate/creatine in the putamen
Damiano et al,121 2015USACross-Sectional26 ASD children 22 Controls48ADOSRight caudate nucleus activation during non-social negative reinforcement was linked with individual differences in social motivation
Wolff et al,122 2013USACross-sectional30 Fragile X Boys 16 Idiopathic Autism46DNA testing using Southern blotting for Fragile X. ADOS-G for autismThe caudate nucleus plays a role in the early pathogenesis of self-injurious behavior associated with both idiopathic autism and the caudate may be differentially linked with compulsive behavior
Marshall et al,123 2011USAReviewN/AN/AN/Amu rhythms that desynchronise in order to activate the mirror neuron system
Cannon et al,126 2014USACross-SectionalTotal=33 8 Males 25 Females -11 Females performers. -10 (4 M, 6 F) were observers. -12 (4 M, 8 F) Novices – were unfamiliar with the procedure and research33 8 Males 25 Females.N/AParticipants performing an action show the greatest mu rhythm desynchronization in the 8-13 Hz band, in the right hemisphere as compared to observers and novices
Simpson et al,73 2014ItalyReviewN/AN/A

  • N/A - not applicable, ADI- Autism Diagnostic Interview, DSM-IV - Diagnostic & Statistical Manual IV, ASD - Autism spectrum disorder, TD - Toddlers, MNS - mirror neuron system, ADI-R - Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, ADL - Autism Diagnostic Interview, ADOS-G - Autism Diagnostic Observations Schedule-Generic, ADOS - Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, DSM-IV-TR - Diagnostic & Statistical Manual IV Text Revision