Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.09.11.292706v1?rss=1 Authors: Kist, J. D., Bethlehem, R. A. I., Stonier, B., Sluijters, O. J. J., Crockford, S. K., de Jonge, E., Freyberg, J., Baron-Cohen, S., Parsons, O. E. Abstract: The ability to correctly identify emotions in social stimuli such as faces is proposed to affect ones level of cognitive empathy. The Fusiform Face Area shows a heightened neural response during the perception of faces relative to objects. We tested whether neural responses to social stimuli were associated with performance in a measure of cognitive empathy, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task. To quantify face perception, participants were presented with images during a fast serial presentation task which elicited a steady state visual evoked potential, measured using electroencephalography. A Sequential Bayesian Analysis was used to assess if face specific neural responses were associated with either cognitive empathy or age. Data were collected from a participant group of both neurotypical individuals and individuals on the autistic spectrum. We found no significant relationship between the face-specific neural signature, cognitive empathy or age. This study highlights the efficiency of the Sequential Bayesian Analysis as an effective method of participant recruitment. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info