The neural basis of static and dynamic face emotion processing in healthy individuals and individuals with an autism spectrum disorder

This thesis examined the neural correlates of static and dynamic face emotion processing in typically developing individuals displaying varying degrees of autistic traits and individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A similar pattern of brain activation evoked by static and dynamic face and face emotion stimuli was observed in ASD individuals and typically developing individuals reporting high autistic traits. Additionally, high autistic trait individuals displayed a neural processing advantage to dynamic face emotion stimuli compared to low autistic trait individuals. Results from this thesis provide support for an autism spectrum spanning from clinical patients to the normal population.