NEW DATE: 2 JULY! Guest Lecture: Gregor Kohls (Aachen)

“Neural reward imbalance and the origin of autism"

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are defined by social communication impairments as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBIs). The neurocognitive mechanisms causing and maintaining these deficits are still unclear. A common notion in the field suggests that the two core symptom clusters are largely distinct with, at best, only modest neurobiological overlap. However, accumulating evidence indicates that an imbalance in the brain’s reward system reactivity may contribute to both social impairments and RRBIs. In this talk I will present findings from a series of imaging studies showing that the reward circuitry in ASD selectively overreacts to typical objects and topics that often constitute an intense special interest (e.g., computer games), whereas it underreacts to more conventional desires such as social reward and money. Because both essential features of autism may be rooted in the powerful reward circuitries that motivate a great deal of behavior, strategically targeting the role of reward mechanisms promises to improve current treatment practices for individuals with ASD and their families. Computerized video games are an especially promising intervention tool, because they capitalize on the brain’s reward networks that co-opt the natural tendency to play in the pursuit of learning. I will present first preliminary data from a randomized controlled trial using a novel therapeutic video game platform, FaceStation, to improve social skill deficits (i.e., face recognition) among children and adolescents with ASD.       
Organized by: Social Cognition Group
Humboldt Universität zu Berlin
Berlin School of Mind and Brain
Tel.: +49 30 2093-6185
https://www.psychologie.hu-berlin.de/de/prof/soccog
<http://www.psychologie.hu-berlin.de/prof/soccog>
http://www.zirkus-empathico.de/

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