Neural basis of interindividual variability in social perception in typically developing children and adolescents using diffusion tensor imaging.
Sci Rep. 2020-04-14; 10(1):
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63273-4
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Humans show great interindividual variability in the degree they engage in social
relationship. The neural basis of this variability is still poorly understood,
particularly in children. In this study, we aimed to investigate the neural basis
of interindividual variability in the first step of social behavior, that is
social perception, in typically developing children. For that purpose, we first
used eye-tracking to objectively measure eye-gaze processing during passive
visualization of social movie clips in 24 children and adolescents
(10.5 ± 2.9 y). Secondly, we correlated eye-tracking data with measures of
fractional anisotropy, an index of white matter microstructure, obtained using
diffusion tensor imaging MRI. The results showed a large interindividual
variability in the number of fixations to the eyes of characters during
visualization of social scenes. In addition, whole-brain analysis showed a
significant positive correlation between FA and number of fixations to the
eyes,mainly in the temporal part of the superior longitudinal fasciculi
bilaterally, adjacent to the posterior superior temporal cortex. Our results
indicate the existence of a neural signature associated with the interindividual
variability in social perception in children, contributing for better
understanding the neural basis of typical and atypical development of a broader
social expertise.