Psychophysiological correlates of social judgement in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder

Neural structures involved in social cognition (e.g., amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex) have been implicated in judgements of trustworthiness. These regions are also functionally atypical in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Studies investigating judgements of trustworthiness in ASDs have suggested possible disruptions in the allocation of significance to social stimuli. Concurrent measures of autonomic responses provide further insight into these deficits, given their role in the direction of attention and allocation of significance. Thirty high-functioning adults with ASDs and 31 non-clinical controls viewed neutral images piloted as most “positive” and “negative.” Skin conductance (SCR, SCL) and evoked cardiac deceleration (ECD) were recorded. Adults with ASDs did not differ from controls in ratings of trustworthiness. However, they displayed atypical SCRs, providing further support for a disruption in the allocation of emotional significance.

► Adults with ASDs do not differ from controls in their ratings of trustworthiness.
► However, they display atypical SCRs to these facial stimuli.
► SCRs for the ASD group remained stable over time, versus adaptation by the controls.
► Atypical SCRs suggest a disruption in allocation of emotional significance.