Depressive Traits and Theory of Mind in Healthy Individuals: A Mediation Study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas James Rowark
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Prepotent Response

Depression has been associated with poor social cognitive functioning, including impaired performance on measures of theory of mind. However, the association between depression and theory of mind performance has been removed when controlling for differences in executive functioning, which is also impacted by depression. Among these executive functions, inhibition of prepotent response has been demonstrated as enabling success on theory of mind tests. In the context of these findings, the current investigation tested whether a relationship could be found between depressive traits and theory of mind in a non-clinical sample, and whether this relationship was mediated by differences in executive control of inhibition. Theory of mind was assessed in 31 healthy individuals using an audio-presented false-belief reasoning task, which also tested baseline performance in non-mental-state reasoning. Inhibition of prepotent response was assessed with interference measures on a Stroop colour-word task, and depressive traits were self-reported through the second version of the Beck Depression Inventory. Mediation analysis revealed that executive control of inhibition did not significantly mediate an indirect effect of depressive traits on theory of mind. It was interpreted that relationships previously found between major depression, executive and social-cognitive functions do not generalise beyond clinical boundaries. However, these findings are discussed in terms of the small sample size, limiting statistical power, and several methodological limitations. Future research should assess the relationship between depressive traits and theory of mind using alternative measures of mental representation, or include a neurocognitive battery assessing executive functions other than inhibition.

scholarly journals Role of microRNAs in Venous Thromboembolism

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vânia M. Morelli ◽  
Sigrid K. Brækkan ◽  
John-Bjarne Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gene Expressions

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that execute their function by targeted downregulation of gene expressions. There is growing evidence from epidemiological studies and animal models suggesting that the expression level of miRNAs is dysregulated in venous thromboembolism (VTE). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of miRNAs as biomarkers for VTE and provide general insight into research exploring the modulation of miRNA activity in animal models of venous thrombosis. Up to now, published studies have yielded inconsistent results on the role of miRNAs as biomarkers for VTE with most of the reports focused on diagnostic research. The limited statistical power of the individual studies, due to the small sample sizes, may substantially contribute to the poor reproducibility among studies. In animal models, over-expression or inhibition of some miRNAs appear to influence venous thrombus formation and resolution. However, there is an important gap in knowledge on the potential role of miRNAs as therapeutic targets in VTE. Future research involving large cohorts should be designed to clarify the clinical usefulness of miRNAs as biomarkers for VTE, and animal model studies should be pursued to unravel the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of VTE and their potential as therapeutic targets.

Sensory motor inhibition as a prerequisite for theory-of-mind: A comparison of clinical and normal preschoolers differing in sensory motor abilities

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios Chasiotis ◽  
Florian Kiessling ◽  
Vera Winter ◽  
Jan Hofer
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Motor Inhibition ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Motor Abilities ◽  
Inhibitory Ability ◽  
Sensory Motor

After distinguishing between neocortical abilities for executive control and subcortical sensory motor skills for proprioceptive and vestibular integration, we compare a sample of 116 normal preschoolers with a sample of 31 preschoolers receiving occupational therapeutical treatment. This is done in an experimental design controlled for age (mean: 49 months), sex, SES, linguistic abilities, and intelligence. Inhibition and theory-of-mind are measured with test batteries. Results show that children having deficits in sensory motor inhibition are less competent in conflict inhibition and in theoryof-mind. Regression analyses reveal that in the clinical sample conflict inhibition is a significantly stronger predictor of theory-of-mind than in the control group. These results point at a basic sensory motor inhibitory ability as a prerequisite for the development of theory-of-mind.

From clinical cases to clinical research: Neurocognition and social cognition in schizophrenia

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S372-S372
Author(s):  
I. Gurovich ◽  
O. Papsuev ◽  
A. Shmukler ◽  
L. Movina ◽  
Y. Storozhakova
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
Cognitive Measures ◽  
Prodromal Phase ◽  
Clinical Cases

IntroductionNeurocognition and social cognition are the core deficits influencing social outcomes in patients with schizophrenia. These deficits are present in prodromal phase and throughout the illness, in first-degree relatives and are considered in the framework of neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative models.MethodFour clinical cases with patients reflecting different cognitive profiles were chosen to demonstrate heterogeneity of cognitive biases and their influence on the social function en vivo. The patients have undergone a number of neurocognitive and social cognitive measures.ResultsIn these four patients, we would like to highlight the dissociation of neurocognitive deficits, clinical manifestations and social functioning. Social cognitive measures revealed heterogeneity of biases in different domains. As a result of our observation, we can hypothesize that better social functioning was achieved by patients with better abilities to discriminate negative emotions and states of mind in others.ConclusionDespite certain limitations of case-report studies, it is hard not to point out heterogeneity and incoherence of social and neurocognition. We assume that intact domains of Processing of Emotions and Theory of Mind predispose to better social functioning, while it's hard to trace this connection to neurocognition. This result needs to be challenged on large samples in future research, concerning emotionality in Theory of Mind and capacity for empathy and its’ role in social functioning.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Does the bonobo have a (chimpanzee-like) theory of mind?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Krupenye ◽  
Evan L. MacLean ◽  
Brian Hare
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological States ◽  
The Social ◽  
Theorie De L'esprit ◽  
Cognition Sociale

Theory of mind—the ability to reason about the thoughts and emotions of others—is central to what makes us human. Chimpanzees too appear to understand some psychological states. While less is known about bonobos, several lines of evidence suggest that the social-cognitive abilities of the two sister taxa may differ in key respects. This chapter outlines a framework to guide future research on bonobo social cognition based on the predictions of two potentially complementary hypotheses. The self-domestication hypothesis suggests that selection against aggression and for prosociality in bonobos may have impacted the ontogeny of their social-cognitive skills relative to chimpanzees. The empathizing–systemizing hypothesis links degree of prenatal brain masculinization, a potential result of self-domestication, to adult cognition. Specifically, relative feminization may yield more flexible theory of mind skills in bonobos than chimpanzees. Finally, directions for future study, including development of new paradigms that maximize ecological validity for bonobos, are discussed. La théorie de l’esprit—le pouvoir de raisonner les pensées et émotions des autres—est centrale à notre nature humaine. Il parait que les chimpanzés peuvent comprendre quelques états psychologiques. Tandis que nous savons moins des bonobos, plusieurs témoignages suggèrent que les capacités socio-cognitives des deux taxons soeur peuvent différer dans des aspects clefs. Nous traçons un cadre pour guider les prochaines recherches sur la cognition sociale des bonobos, basé sur les prédictions de deux hypothèses potentiellement complémentaires. L’hypothèse d’auto-domestication suggère que l’anti-agression et la prosocialité des bonobos a influé leur ontogenèse et leur capacités socio-cognitives relativement aux chimpanzés. L’hypothèse d’empathie systématique (Empathizing–Systemizing) forme un lien entre le degré de masculinisation prénatale du cerveau, le résultat potentiel d’auto-domestication, et la cognition adulte. Spécifiquement, la féminisation relative génère des théories de l’esprit plus flexibles chez les bonobos que chez les chimpanzés. Enfin, nous discutons le directions pour les prochaines études, inclut le développement de nouveaux paradigmes qui maximisent la validité écologique des bonobos.

scholarly journals A Comparison of ‘Pruning’ During Multi-Step Planning in Depressed and Healthy Individuals

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Faulkner ◽  
Quentin J.M. Huys ◽  
Daniel Renz ◽  
Neir Eshel ◽  
Stephen Pilling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Trees ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Healthy Participants

AbstractBackgroundReal-life decisions are often complex because they involve making sequential choices that constrain future options. We have previously shown that to render such multi-step decisions manageable, people “prune” (i.e. selectively disregard) branches of decision trees that contain negative outcomes. We have theorized that sub-optimal pruning contributes to depression by promoting an oversampling of branches that result in unsavoury outcomes, which results in a negatively-biased valuation of the world. However, no study has tested this theory in depressed individuals.MethodsThirty unmedicated depressed and 31 healthy participants were administered a sequential reinforcement-based decision-making task to determine pruning behaviours, and completed measures of depression and anxiety. Computational, Bayesian and frequentist analyses examined group differences in task performance and relationships between pruning and depressive symptoms.ResultsConsistent with prior findings, participants robustly pruned branches of decision trees that began with large losses, regardless of the potential utility of those branches. However, there was no group difference in pruning behaviours. Further, there was no relationship between pruning and levels of depression/anxiety.LimitationsThe relatively small sample size limited the examination of individual differences. The use of other heuristics that are used to render complex decisions feasible, such as memoization and fragmentation, were not examined.ConclusionsWe found no evidence that sub-optimal pruning is evident in depression. Future research could determine whether maladaptive pruning behaviours are observable in specific sub-groups of depressed patients (e.g. in treatment-resistant individuals), or whether misuse of other heuristics may contribute to depression.

Understanding jokes draws most heavily on the Theory of Mind brain network

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Kline ◽  
Jeanne Gallée ◽  
Zuzanna Balewski ◽  
Evelina Fedorenko
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Literal Interpretation ◽  
Pragmatic Reasoning ◽  
Face Saving ◽  
Self Replication

To communicate successfully, we often go beyond literal meaning: we make sarcastic remarks, ask for favors, and engage in face-saving acts. Do these abilities recruit the same mechanisms as literal interpretation? Or does pragmatic reasoning draw on general social-cognitive abilities? In two fMRI studies (an initial study, and a preregistered self-replication), we examined activity in the language and Theory-of-Mind (ToM) networks while participants processed one-liner jokes. We additionally examined activity in the domain-general “multiple demand” network, which supports executive functions and has also been linked to pragmatic processing. Across both studies, the ToM network responded more strongly to jokes than non-joke controls. The language and multiple demand networks showed weaker responses to the Joke > Non-Joke contrast, evidenced by reliable network-by-condition interactions. Thus ‘getting’ jokes – and perhaps pragmatic processing more broadly – appears to draw most heavily on the same abilities that allow us to imagine what others are thinking.

scholarly journals Human Papillomavirus Type 16 Sub-Lineages and Integration in Cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Jackson ◽  
Alejandro Ortigas-Vásquez ◽  
Ingeborg Zehbe
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Human Papillomavirus ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Host Genome ◽  
The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Ngs Data

ABSTRACTOur lab has been intrigued by the fact that viral genomes often take on the role of mobile elements to perpetuate their existence in a complex organism’s genome. Multiple DNA viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B virus, and human papillomavirus (HPV) can invade their host genome, as “genomic parasites”. We have been investigating HPV type 16 (HPV16), which is a prominent human tumour virus. In our recent in vitro work using 3D organoids, a common variant of HPV16’s coding region elicited early integration into the host genome compared to the prototype. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data confirmed a transcriptomic profile of increased proliferation and chromosomal instability—both hallmarks of cancer. Epidemiologically, this variant is associated with a high cervical cancer incidence. To substantiate in vitro findings and test variant-specific integration across HPV16-related cancers, we employed NGS data from population-derived clinical samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-curated database. Data were analyzed for HPV16 positivity, sub-lineage, and viral-host integration using a bioinformatic pipeline of open-source tools, including HPVDetector. Here, we report the initial analysis for a subset of 37 cervical cancer cases comprised of HPV16 positive and negative samples as well as different sub-lineage and integration states. We do not presently find an association between sub-lineage and integration, but these determinations are confounded by discrepancies between DNA- and RNA-level data and the small sample size. We conclude by discussing challenges and future directions for analyzing the remaining TCGA cases—a requirement to increase statistical power. The overall goal is to investigate integration patterns quantitatively and qualitatively as well as to confirm or refute our initial hypothesis based on clinical sample data. Dissecting integration patterns of HPV sub-lineage genomes may uncover viral-host interactions evolutionarily related to transposable elements—a group of molecules increasingly identified in a wide array of functions within humans. The overall understanding of risk factors related to HPV sub-lineage could be relevant for prognostic and cancer treatment efficiency biomarkers.

scholarly journals Deception Detection and Truth Detection Are Dependent on Different Cognitive and Emotional Traits: An Investigation of Emotional Intelligence, Theory of Mind, and Attention

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 794-807
Author(s):  
Suzanne L. K. Stewart ◽  
Clea Wright ◽  
Catherine Atherton
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Deception Detection ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Detection Accuracy ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Video Clips ◽  
Intelligence Theory ◽  
Accuracy Rates

Despite evidence that variation exists between individuals in high-stakes truth and deception detection accuracy rates, little work has investigated what differences in individuals’ cognitive and emotional abilities contribute to this variation. Our study addressed this question by examining the role played by cognitive and affective theory of mind (ToM), emotional intelligence (EI), and various aspects of attention (alerting, orienting, executive control) in explaining variation in accuracy rates among 115 individuals (87 women; mean age = 27.04 years [ SD = 11.32]) who responded to video clips of truth-tellers and liars in real-world, high-stakes contexts. Faster attentional alerting supported truth detection, and better cognitive ToM and perception of emotion (an aspect of EI) supported deception detection. This evidence indicates that truth and deception detection are distinct constructs supported by different abilities. Future research may address whether interventions targeting these cognitive and emotional traits can also contribute to improving detection skill.

Progressing from an implicit to an explicit false belief understanding: A matter of executive control?

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Kloo ◽  
Susanne Kristen-Antonow ◽  
Beate Sodian
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Second Order ◽  
False Belief ◽  
False Belief Understanding ◽  
Explicit Theory ◽  
Implicit And Explicit ◽  
Reflective Processing ◽  
Conscious Control

In a longitudinal study ( N = 54), we investigated the developmental relation between children’s implicit and explicit theory of mind and executive functions. We found that implicit false belief understanding at 18 months was correlated with explicit false belief understanding at 4 to 5 years of age, with the latter being closely related to second-order false belief understanding at 5 years of age. Also, replicating a number of studies, explicit first- and second-order false belief understanding, in contrast to implicit false belief understanding, were related to executive functioning. This indicates that executive functions play a role in standard explicit false belief tasks, but not in implicit false belief understanding. We argue that spontaneous, implicit false belief understanding does not require conscious control, whereas explicit false belief understanding is based on conscious, reflective processing. In sum, we suggest a developmental enrichment account of theory of mind development, with belief processing becoming increasingly reflective and controlled with advancing age.

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