London: People with autism do not day dream, scientists in a new study have revealed.
The resting period usually gives time for areas of the brain to process emotional and reflective thoughts.
The University of California research, in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, compared brain scans of people with autism and those without.
The scientists said the typical social awkwardness seen in autism might be due to this failure of this "daydreaming" brain network.
This study sheds further light on the neurological factors involved in autism Richard Mills, National Autistic Society
Several regions of the brain are highly active during these periods-including the medial prefrontal cortex, the rostral anterior cingulate and the precuneus.
This activity is suppressed when the brain is doing something that demands understanding, or another intellectual process.
It was found that the activity during rest periods seen in people who did not have autism was absent in those with the condition.
"The causes of autism are varied, complex and not yet fully understood." director of research for the National Autistic Society and Research Autism, Richard Mills said.
"This study sheds further light on the neurological factors involved in autism and some of the possible implications for differences in the cognitive profile and social behaviour.
"Such findings will add to our understanding of this spectrum of conditions and it is hoped may also be utilised in the development of effective treatments and other approaches," Mills added.
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