Neural Mechanisms of Vicarious Reward Processing in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Previous studies examining the neural substrates of reward processing in ASD have explored responses to rewards for oneself but not rewards earned for others (i.e., vicarious reward). This omission is notable given that vicarious reward processing is a critical component of creating and maintaining social relationships. The current study examined the neural mechanisms of vicarious reward processing in 15 adults with ASD and 15 age- and gender-matched typically developing controls. Individuals with ASD demonstrated attenuated activation of reward-related regions during vicarious reward processing. Altered connectivity was also observed in individuals with ASD during reward receipt. These findings of altered neural sensitivity to vicarious reward processing may represent a mechanism that hinders the development of social abilities in ASD.

Figure 1

ASD and TDC group-averaged reaction times in response to rewards earned for self and other. The difference between reaction times to personal versus vicarious rewards was only marginally significant (p=0.067) across groups. Error bars represent standard deviations of the mean.

Figure 2

Functional activation clusters showing hypoactivation in individuals with ASD relative to TDC during vicarious reward outcomes.

Figure 3

Functional activation clusters showing hypoactivation in individuals with ASD relative to TDCs during vicarious relative to standard reward outcomes.

Figure 4

Functional connectivity clusters showing decreased connectivity with right middle temporal gyrus (MTG) in individuals with ASD relative to TDCs during vicarious reward outcomes. FP = frontal pole.

Figure 5

Functional connectivity clusters showing decreased connectivity with the left Nucleus Accumbens (NAcc) in individuals with ASD relative to TDCs during vicarious reward outcomes. FP = frontal pole; SFG = superior frontal gyrus; MTG = middle temporal gyrus.