Reconsidering Empathy Deficits in Children and Adolescents with Autism

Zee, Evi van der; Derksen, J.J.L.

doi:10.1007/s10882-019-09669-1

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…The magnitudes of the effect in the case of these differences were similar for AEQ and CEQ, which would indicate that, in the study group, both parameters were similarly disturbed compared to the neurotypical group. The presented data seem to be in line with previous research results summarized, e.g., by van der Zee and Derksen in 2020 [ 18 ], although they contradict some of the available literature—e.g., Smith et al 2009 [ 19 ]—and seem to contradict the hypothesis of an imbalance between the elements of empathy as the basis of the clinical picture of ASD. On the other hand, the lack of a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the RMiE test, the lack of the expected difference between AEQ and CEQ, and the distribution of the result of the total ADOS-2 test in the study and control groups bring to mind the study of Camodeca et al [ 20 ] and Miu et al [ 21 ], where such phenomena were essential features of the so-called broad autism phenotype (broad autism phenotype (BAP)), i.e., a constellation of subclinical symptoms from the autism spectrum occurring in the population of neurotypical people.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Polymorphisms in Oxytocin and Vasopressin Receptor Genes as a Factor Shaping the Clinical Picture and the Risk of ASD in Males

Wilczyński¹,

Stasik²,

Cichoń³

et al. 2023

Brain Sciences

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Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders affecting virtually every population, regardless of their ethnic or socioeconomic background. Their pathogenesis is multifactorial, based on interactions between genetic and environmental factors. The key symptom of ASD are deficits in social communication, which are the basis of many difficulties in everyday functioning. The aim of the presented study was to analyze the clinical picture of social cognition deficits in boys with autism spectrum disorders and to relate its elements with the frequency of alleles of selected polymorphisms within the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and vasopressin receptor 1A (AVPR1A) genes. The study included 58 boys with IQ > 90, who were divided into two groups based on a confirmed or excluded ASD diagnosis based on the DSM-5 and ICD-10 criteria and then using the ADOS-2 protocol. The results indicated that polymorphism rs10877969 (T) within the AVPR1a gene was the only one to show a statistically significant association with a higher risk of autism spectrum disorders and has an impact on clinical presentation in the ADOS-2 study, primarily in terms of the social affect subscale. Polymorphisms in the OXTR gene showed no significant association with ASD risk and severity of autistic traits in the ADOS-2 study. In the group of people with ASD and those who are neurotypical, the rs53572 (A) genotype in the OXTR gene significantly increased the severity of the clinical picture of social cognition disorders in reading mind in the eyes test (RMiE) and empathy quotient (EQ) studies.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Polymorphisms in Oxytocin and Vasopressin Receptor Genes as a Factor Shaping the Clinical Picture and the Risk of ASD in Males

Wilczyński¹,

Stasik²,

Cichoń³

et al. 2023

Brain Sciences

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“…Selective impairments in AE and CE have been observed in different psychological disorders such as patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or conduct disorder (CD). Empathy deficits are a known core feature of ASD experiencing major difficulties in perspective‐taking (Vilas et al, 2021), TOM (Baron‐Cohen et al, 1985; Blair, 2005; Cantio et al, 2016; Happé et al, 2017; Jones et al, 2010; Schwenck et al, 2012) and social interaction (Frith & Frith, 2003; van der Zee & Derksen, 2020). Patients with ASD frequently show difficulties in emotion recognition and distinguishing between positive and negative facial expressions, which might lead to deficits in appropriate social responding and social reciprocity (Frith, 2001; Schulte‐Rüther et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Empathy deficits, callous‐unemotional traits and structural underpinnings in autism spectrum disorder and conduct disorder youth

Tkalcec,

Bierlein,

Seeger‐Schneider

et al. 2023

Autism Research

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Distinct empathy deficits are often described in patients with conduct disorder (CD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) yet their neural underpinnings and the influence of comorbid Callous‐Unemotional (CU) traits are unclear. This study compares the cognitive (CE) and affective empathy (AE) abilities of youth with CD and ASD, their potential neuroanatomical correlates, and the influence of CU traits on empathy. Adolescents and parents/caregivers completed empathy questionnaires (N = 148 adolescents, mean age = 15.16 years) and T1 weighted images were obtained from a subsample (N = 130). Group differences in empathy and the influence of CU traits were investigated using Bayesian analyses and Voxel‐Based Morphometry with Threshold‐Free Cluster Enhancement focusing on regions involved in AE (insula, amygdala, inferior frontal gyrus and cingulate cortex) and CE processes (ventromedial prefrontal cortex, temporoparietal junction, superior temporal gyrus, and precuneus). The ASD group showed lower parent‐reported AE and CE scores and lower self‐reported CE scores while the CD group showed lower parent‐reported CE scores than controls. When accounting for the influence of CU traits no AE deficits in ASD and CE deficits in CD were found, but CE deficits in ASD remained. Across all participants, CU traits were negatively associated with gray matter volumes in anterior cingulate which extends into the mid cingulate, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and precuneus. Thus, although co‐occurring CU traits have been linked to global empathy deficits in reports and underlying brain structures, its influence on empathy aspects might be disorder‐specific. Investigating the subdimensions of empathy may therefore help to identify disorder‐specific empathy deficits.

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Empathy in autistic children: Emotional overarousal in response to others' physical pain

Li,

Decety,

Hua

et al. 2024

Autism Research

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Different empathic responses are often reported in autism but remain controversial. To investigate which component of empathy is most affected by autism, we examined the affective, cognitive, and motivational components of empathy in 25 5‐ to 8‐year‐old autistic and 27 neurotypical children. Participants were presented with visual stimuli depicting people's limbs in painful or nonpainful situations while their eye movements, pupillary responses, and verbal ratings of pain intensity and empathic concern were recorded. The results indicate an emotional overarousal and reduced empathic concern to others' pain in autism. Compared with neurotypical children, autistic children displayed larger pupil dilation accompanied by attentional avoidance to others' pain. Moreover, even though autistic children rated others in painful situations as painful, they felt less sorry than neurotypical children. Interestingly, autistic children felt more sorry in nonpainful situations compared with neurotypical children. These findings demonstrated an emotional overarousal in response to others' pain in autistic children, and provide important implications for clinical practice aiming to promote socio‐emotional understanding in autistic children.

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Reconsidering Empathy Deficits in Children and Adolescents with Autism

Cited by 8 publications

References 76 publications

Polymorphisms in Oxytocin and Vasopressin Receptor Genes as a Factor Shaping the Clinical Picture and the Risk of ASD in Males

Polymorphisms in Oxytocin and Vasopressin Receptor Genes as a Factor Shaping the Clinical Picture and the Risk of ASD in Males

Empathy deficits, callous‐unemotional traits and structural underpinnings in autism spectrum disorder and conduct disorder youth

Empathy in autistic children: Emotional overarousal in response to others' physical pain

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