fMRI evidence of neural abnormalities in the subcortical face processing system in ASD

►Rapid face detection is supported by the amygdala, pulvinar, and superior colliculus. ►Autism involves reduced activation in these subcortical face processing regions. ►Social orienting deficits may stem from neural abnormalities in subcortical structures. ►Social orienting deficits precede abnormalities in social cognition in autism.