Continuing to look in the mirror: A review of neuroscientific evidence for the Broken Mirror Hypothesis, EP-M model and STORM model of Autism Spectrum Conditions

TY - JOUR

T1 - Continuing to look in the mirror

T2 - A review of neuroscientific evidence for the Broken Mirror Hypothesis, EP-M model and STORM model of Autism Spectrum Conditions

AU - Yates, Luke

AU - Hobson, Hannah

N1 - This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details.

PY - 2020/5/26

Y1 - 2020/5/26

N2 - The Mirror Neuron System (MNS) has been argued to be a key brain system responsible for action understanding and imitation. Subsequently, MNS dysfunction has therefore been proposed to explain the social deficits manifested within Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), an approach referred to as the Broken Mirror Hypothesis (BMH). Despite excitement surrounding this hypothesis, extensive research has produced insufficient evidence to support the BMH in its pure form and instead two alternative models have been formulated: EP-M model and the Social Top-down Response Modulation (STORM) model. All models suggest some dysfunction regarding the MNS in ASC, be that within the MNS itself or systems that regulate the MNS. This literature review compares these three models in regard to recent neuroscientific investigations. This review concludes that there is insufficient support for the BMH, but converging evidence supports an integrated EP-M and STORM model.

AB - The Mirror Neuron System (MNS) has been argued to be a key brain system responsible for action understanding and imitation. Subsequently, MNS dysfunction has therefore been proposed to explain the social deficits manifested within Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), an approach referred to as the Broken Mirror Hypothesis (BMH). Despite excitement surrounding this hypothesis, extensive research has produced insufficient evidence to support the BMH in its pure form and instead two alternative models have been formulated: EP-M model and the Social Top-down Response Modulation (STORM) model. All models suggest some dysfunction regarding the MNS in ASC, be that within the MNS itself or systems that regulate the MNS. This literature review compares these three models in regard to recent neuroscientific investigations. This review concludes that there is insufficient support for the BMH, but converging evidence supports an integrated EP-M and STORM model.

KW - autism; mirror neurons; imitation

M3 - Article

SN - 1362-3613

JO - Autism

JF - Autism

ER -