The neural basis of reward processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder : brain function, structure and connectivity

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder defined by impairments in reciprocal social interaction and communication, as well as stereotyped behaviour and repetitive interests (Lord et al., 2011). The theory of social motivation proposes that impairments in social interaction in ASD are due to failure to associate social stimuli with emotional rewards (Dawson, Bernier, & Ring, 2012; Dawson, Webb, & McPartland, 2005a). The aim of this thesis was to examine the reward responses to social and non-social stimuli in ASD using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to investigate the structure and connectivity of frontostriatal circuitry - which sub-serves reward processing - and to use model free analyses to examine group differences in reward circuitry function and structure in the light of other neuroanatomical differences in ASD.