Recent neural advances in studies on theory of mind and autism.

Abstract

Despite initial evidence in favor of the Theory of Mind (ToM) theory of autism, results have been mixed, presumably because the literature is highly heterogeneous. Researchers have increasingly turned to neuroimaging as a tool to provide additional insights regarding ToM differences in autism. For example, they have used neuroimaging to investigate spontaneous ToM, i.e., ToM in the absence of explicit instruction. Furthermore, recent advances in hyperscanning allow to study neural responses to actual, live, social interactions. Finally, the hypothesis that there may also be difficulties with 'Theory of Own Mind' is being investigated. In short, the awareness of past shortcomings of ToM research in autism inspires many new research lines that will expectedly further insights into the outstanding questions in this field in the upcoming years.