Exploring Influences on Theory of Mind Impairment in Opioid Dependent Patients

Theory of mind (ToM) is an aspect of social cognition impaired in different addictive disorders, including opioid addiction. This study aimed at replicating ToM deficits in opioid dependent patients undergoing opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) and exploring the influence of substance use related variables, executive functions and childhood maltreatment on ToM in opioid dependent patients. 66 opioid dependent patients were tested using the Movie for Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) and compared with the data of healthy controls. Furthermore, the opioid dependent patients underwent testing for executive functions and filled in the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Performance on the MASC was significantly poorer in the opioid dependence group than in the control group, even when recent additional drug use and psychiatric comorbidities were controlled for. No correlations were found between ToM and substance use related factors. Aspects of ToM performance in opioid dependent patients correlated significantly with different EF domains. ToM correlated significantly with the CTQ scales for physical maltreatment. The results confirm impaired ToM in opioid dependent patients and highlight executive functions and childhood maltreatment as influential factors. The lack of associations between ToM and substance use related variables and the association with childhood maltreatment suggest that ToM impairments might be a risk factor predating substance abuse.

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Computerized LEXTOMM Battery (Language, EXecutive functions, Theory Of Mind, episodic Memory)

10.31234/osf.io/y2sdp ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marcela Perrone-Bertolotti ◽

Lucile Meunier ◽

Christine Bulteau ◽

Anna Borne ◽

Samuel El Bouzaïdi Tiali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Cognition ◽

Theory Of Mind ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Declarative Memory ◽

Training Session ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Cognitive Outcomes ◽

Auditory Modality ◽

Executive Processes ◽

Memory Switching

We present a computerize battery constructed to evaluate behavioral performances for language, declarative memory, executive functions and social cognition abilities. This battery was created to evaluate cognitive outcomes in adults who underwent hemispherotomy as a clinical treatment of Rasmussen Encephalitis (RE) in their childhood and have been tested in a group of healthy participants (n= 88). LEXTOMM battery can be used for cognitive assessment of any type of population and allow the collection of behavioral performances in terms of accuracy and reaction times. LEXTOMM battery is composed of six language tasks allowing to assess six different linguistic abilities such as lexical storage, semantics, phonology, syntax, prosody perception and production. Different input modalities are proposed for these tasks (picture, written and auditory modality). A specific task allowing the assessment of the language generation and declarative memory interaction is also proposed. The battery also included a visual control categorization task is proposed in order to assess decision-making baseline. Moreover, LEXTOMM also includes four tasks allowing the assessment of the executive functions. More specifically we included tasks allowing the evaluation of four executive processes: updating in working memory, switching/flexibility, sustained attention and inhibition. Finally, the battery includes a theory of mind abilities task. All tasks were developed using the E-Prime 3.0 software (E-Prime Psychology Software Tools Inc., Pittsburgh, USA), running on a PC. Before each task, a training session is included, with several stimuli that differ from those presented during the experiment. This training allows participants to understand the instructions and get familiarized with each task. Hereafter, we describe the procedures and tasks included in LEXTOMM, in the following order: low-level visual categorization, language, language in interaction with declarative memory, executive functions and social cognition/theory of mind.

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Neuronal correlates of affective theory of mind in schizophrenia out-patients: evidence for a baseline deficit

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291709992133 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 40 (10) ◽

pp. 1607-1617 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

D. Mier ◽

C. Sauer ◽

S. Lis ◽

C. Esslinger ◽

J. Wilhelm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Cognition ◽

Theory Of Mind ◽

Emotion Recognition ◽

Facial Expressions ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Region Of Interest ◽

Functional Brain Imaging ◽

Control Group ◽

Imaging Data ◽

Schizophrenia Group

BackgroundSchizophrenia out-patients have deficits in affective theory of mind (ToM) but also on more basal levels of social cognition, such as the processing of neutral and emotional expressions. These deficits are associated with changes in brain activation in the amygdala and the superior temporal sulcus (STS). However, until now there have been no studies that examined these different levels of social cognition and their neurobiological underpinnings in patients within one design.MethodSixteen medicated schizophrenia out-patients and 16 matched healthy controls were studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a social cognition task that allows the investigation of affective ToM (aToM), emotion recognition and the processing of neutral facial expressions.ResultsPatients showed a deficit in emotion recognition and a more prominent deficit in aToM. The performance in aToM and in emotion recognition was correlated in the control group but not in the schizophrenia group. Region-of-interest analysis of functional brain imaging data revealed no difference between groups during aToM, but a hyperactivation in the schizophrenia group in the left amygdala and right STS during emotion recognition and the processing of neutral facial expressions.ConclusionsThe results indicate that schizophrenia out-patients have deficits at several levels of social cognition and provide the first evidence that deficits on higher-order social cognitive processes in schizophrenia may be traced back to an aberrant processing of faces per se.

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Executive function, mentalizing and humor in major depression

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617708080016 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 55-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 73

Author(s):

J. UEKERMANN ◽

S. CHANNON ◽

C. LEHMKÄMPER ◽

M. ABDEL-HAMID ◽

W. VOLLMOELLER ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Cognition ◽

Major Depression ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Cognitive Deficits ◽

Control Group ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Executive Performance ◽

Socially Relevant ◽

And Gender

Major depression is associated with cognitive deficits including memory, executive functions, and affect perception, which have been linked to dysfunction of fronto-subcortical networks. However, little is known about social cognition on more complex socially relevant tasks, such as humor processing. In this investigation a computerized humor-processing task was administered to 27 patients with a diagnosis of major depression (Dep) and 27 healthy controls (HC). Theory of mind (mentalizing) and executive functions were also assessed. Both groups were similar in IQ, age, and gender. Depressed patients performed below the control group with respect to both affective and cognitive aspects of humor processing, and these were related to mentalizing and executive performance. Our findings suggest social cognition deficits in major depression. Ability to process humor and appreciate mentalistic perspectives may in turn influence social interactions and should be given consideration in therapeutic approaches to depression. (JINS, 2008,14, 55–62.)

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Social cognition in first-degree relatives of bipolar disorder: Theory of Mind and nonverbal sensitivity

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0246908 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. e0246908

Author(s):

Usue Espinós ◽

Enrique G. Fernández-Abascal ◽

Mercedes Ovejero ◽

Guillermo Lahera

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Social Cognition ◽

Theory Of Mind ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Control Group ◽

Type I ◽

Nonverbal Sensitivity ◽

First Degree Relatives ◽

Significant Impairment ◽

Bipolar Patients

Social cognition might be impaired in first degree relatives (FDR) of BD but existing research shows controversial results about social cognitive impairments in this population. The aim of this study was to assess Theory of Mind (ToM) and nonverbal sensitivity in FDR of BD and compare the results with those of two groups of persons with remitted bipolar disorder (BD), type I and II, and a control group. Social cognitive ability was examined in first degree relatives of BD, with a biological parent, offspring or sibling diagnosed with the disorder. For this study, 37 FDRs of bipolar patients, 37 BD I, 40 BD II and 40 control participants were recruited. Social cognition was explored by means of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test and the MiniPONS. Results showed a significant impairment in FDR of BD in the ToM task, but not in nonverbal sensitivity. Performance of FDRs in social cognition is better than that of BDs (either type I or type II) but worse when compared with that of healthy individuals without a family history of psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, no differences were found between BD I and BD II groups. Males and older participants showed a worse performance in all groups. Group family therapy with FDRs of BD might include training in the recognition of nonverbal cues, which might increase the understanding of their familiars with BD, in order to modify communication abilities.

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Social Cognition in Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Pediatric Age

BRAIN. BROAD RESEARCH IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE ◽

10.18662/brain/11.3sup1/124 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (3sup1) ◽

pp. 81-88

Author(s):

Francesca Felicia Operto ◽

◽

Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino ◽

Chiara Padovano ◽

Chiara Scuoppo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Social Cognition ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Age Of Onset ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Affect Recognition ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Facial Emotions

Objective: The purpose of our study was to assess social cognition in adolescents and children with epilepsy or Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) compared to typical individuals. It was verified whether the age of onset, duration and drug therapy of epileptics can influence this ability and if there is a correlation between Social Cognition, intelligence and executive functions. Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study that included a total of 125 subjects between 7 and 16 years (62 with focal epilepsy and 63 with SLD). The control group included 32 healthy subjects. Study subjects were evaluated with neuropsychological tools to evaluate executive functions (EpiTrack Junior), Social Cognition (NEPSY-II), and intelligence; a nonverbal cognitive test (Raven's Matrices) was used in subjects with Epilepsy, while WISC-IV was administered to SLDs. Results: the groups of subjects scored significantly lower than the controls in Social Cognition. The results showed a positive correlation between affect recognition scores and executive function in both groups. In patients with epilepsy the deficit in Affect Recognition appeared to be linked with early age of onset of epilepsy, long term of disease and lack of non-verbal intelligence; a high frequency of seizures, on the other hand, was related to poor performance in the Theory of Mind (ToM). In the SLD group there was no correlation between social cognition and intellectual level. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that individuals with focal epilepsy or SLD have deficits in the recognition of facial emotions and ToM compared to their peers. In epilepsy group, the Social Cognition deficit seems to be linked to characteristics of epilepsy, particularly the deficits in the recognition of facial emotions seems linked to problems in nonverbal intelligence and in executive function. In the SLD group, however, the ability to recognize emotions was correlated only with executive functions.

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Prevalence and Correlates of Alexithymia and Its Relationship With Life Events in Chinese Adolescents With Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.774952 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Xixin Wang ◽

Xiaoyue Li ◽

Chunyan Guo ◽

Yu Hu ◽

Lei Xia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Events ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Adolescent Depression ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

School Bullying ◽

Influential Factors ◽

Related Factors ◽

Important Public Health Problem ◽

Childhood Trauma Questionnaire

Objectives: The incidence of psychological and behavioral problems and depression among adolescents is increasing year by year, which has become an important public health problem. Alexithymia, as an important susceptible factor of adolescent depression, may continue to develop and strengthen under the stimulation of COVID-19-related stressors. However, no studies have focused on alexithymia in adolescent depression during the pandemic in China. This study aims to investigate the incidence and related factors of alexithymia in adolescent depression during the pandemic.Methods: Three hundred adolescent patients were enrolled from October 2020 to May 2021. The general demographic information of all participants was collected, and the clinical characteristics were assessed by the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Check (ASLEC) List, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation (PANSI) Inventory.Results: The incidence of alexithymia was significantly higher among adolescents with depression (76.45%) during the pandemic. There were significant differences in school bullying, disease severity, ASLEC score, CTQ score and PANSI score between adolescents with and without alexithymia. In addition, learning stress, health and adaptation problems during the pandemic may be influential factors in alexithymia of adolescent depression (P < 0.05).Conclusions: According to the results, we found a high incidence of alexithymia in adolescent depression during the pandemic. More support and attention from families, schools and society is needed to develop preventive and targeted psychological interventions as early as possible.

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Assessment of Sexual Functions among Male with Substance Use Disorders

Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research ◽

10.9734/jammr/2021/v33i1731028 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 64-74

Author(s):

Ahmed Osama Tolba ◽

Mohammad Abd El Hakim Selem ◽

Maged Mostafa Ragab ◽

Ahmed Abd El Rahman Mubarak ◽

Adel Abd El Kerem Badawy

Keyword(s):

Substance Abuse ◽

Substance Use ◽

Drug Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Life Assessment ◽

Psychiatric Evaluation ◽

Control Group ◽

Sexual Dysfunctions ◽

Psychiatric Interview ◽

Addictive Disorders

Background: Recent epidemiological and clinical studies confirmed the presence of a strong association between substance use disorders and sexual dysfunctions. Studies have demonstrated that prevalence of sexual dysfunctions among addict was about 30 %the most common problem among male substance abuse patients were Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and delayed ejaculation Methods: This cohort comparative study was conducted on of 376 males aged between 18 – 50 years who were substance abusers including tramadol, cannabis and poly substance related and addictive disorders. All participants were subjected to psychiatric interview which was done using SCID-5-CV structured clinical interview for DSM-5 disorders. Psychometric, biochemical, medical and drug history evaluations were also performed. Results: Our results show comparison between four groups (opiates-cannabis-poly substance abuse and control group according to severity of drug abuse, psychiatric evaluation and according to sexual functions. There were statistically significant differences between groups in sociodemographic data mainly in occupational and educational history. There also were statistically significant differences between groups in terms of drug use, psychiatric assessment, assessment of sexual activity, hormonal assessment of the studied population and quality of life assessment. Conclusions: Long term drug use has a statistically significant negative effect on all domains of male sexual functions. Also average daily dose and severity of addiction are significantly correlated to sexual dysfunctions in patients with tramadol abuse. This is done through an alteration in sex hormone and alters feedback regulations of the pituitary on the hypothalamus.

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Are Deficits in Social Cognition Linked to Autobiographical Memory in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease?

Zeitschrift für Neuropsychologie ◽

10.1024/1016-264x/a000187 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 257-264 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Johannes H. Scheidemann ◽

Franz Petermann ◽

Marc Schipper

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Social Cognition ◽

Theory Of Mind ◽

Autobiographical Memory ◽

Positive Relationship ◽

Neuropsychological Test ◽

Clinical Group ◽

Neuropsychological Test Battery ◽

Fluency Task

Abstract. We investigated theory of mind (ToM) deficits in Alzheimer‘s disease (AD) and its possible connection to autobiographical memory (ABM). Patients and matched controls were evaluated and compared using a video-based ToM test, an autobiographical fluency task, and a neuropsychological test battery. We found that ToM deficits were positively associated with semantic ABM in the clinical group, whereas a positive relationship appeared between ToM and episodic ABM in controls. We hypothesize that this reflects the course of the disease as well as that semantic ABM is used for ToM processing, being still accessible in AD. Furthermore, we assume that it is also less efficient, which in turn leads to a specific deficit profile of social cognition.

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