Mind Blindness in Autism Syndromes

People with single-gene syndromes linked to autism lack the ability to infer others’ thoughts or feelings, according to two new studies published in the past few weeks.Trouble with theory of mind, the ability to grasp others’ beliefs, is one of the most well-known deficits in autism. The new studies extend this deficit to velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS) and fragile X syndrome. This sort of research may help researchers identify the genetic basis of the theory of mind deficit.VCFS, caused by a deletion in chromosomal region 22q11.2, is characterized by heart defects, immune dysfunction and language delay. Some individuals with the syndrome are also diagnosed with schizophrenia or autism.In a study published 7 September in Autism Research, researchers recruited 63 children and young adults with VCFS and 43 age-matched controls.Read more at...SFARI, October 2012.