Social cognition in adults with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Emotion recognition, ‘theory of mind,’ and social behavior in schizophrenia

Background: Recent evidence suggests that depressed patients experience social cognitive deficits (e.g., poor affect recognition). However, very little is known regarding the contribution of social cognitive deficits to psychosocial dysfunction (e.g., occupational functioning). In particular, the mechanistic roles of depression severity and cognitive deficits (e.g., memory) in this domain have not been explored. The current study evaluated the extent to which mood symptoms and cognitive deficits provide a mechanistic explanation for the relationship between social cognitive and psychosocial deficits in major depressive disorder (MDD).Methods: Data were obtained from 111 participants with MDD (75 Female, mean age = 35, 84% Caucasian, 12% Asian, 4% Other) in the Cognitive Function and Mood Study (CoFaM-S), a cross-sectional study of mood, social cognition, cognition, and psychosocial functioning in mood disorders. Social cognitive abilities were assessed using the Social Perception subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and psychosocial dysfunction was clinically evaluated with the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST).Results: Cognitive deficits and mood symptoms did not significantly mediate relationships between social cognitive ability and psychosocial dysfunction. The exception was executive function, which mediated an indirect relationship between meaning interpretation (i.e., theory of mind) and self-perceived cognitive dysfunction.Conclusion: The results suggest that the relationship between social cognitive deficits and psychosocial dysfunction is not mechanistically explained by mood symptoms or nonsocial cognition. Development of treatment strategies targeting social cognitive deficits in patients with MDD is warranted.

Social cognition refers broadly to the cognitive processes used to encode and decode social information and consists of four key domains: theory of mind, social perception, affective empathy, and social behaviour. Social cognitive deficits are a key predictor of important functional outcomes as they fundamentally disrupt the ability to form and sustain strong interpersonal relationships thereby potentially leading to social isolation, a critical risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Although people who have suffered a stroke are one of the many clinical groups at increased risk of social cognitive impairment, important questions remain about the nature and magnitude of these difficulties. The overarching aim of the present thesis was therefore to enhance current understanding of social cognitive deficits following stroke. This was achieved in two parts. Firstly, via a comprehensive meta-analysis (Chapter 2) of 58 datasets involving 2567 participants (937 with stroke, 1630 non-clinical controls). Results from this meta-analysis revealed significant stroke related deficits for three of the four social cognitive domains (theory of mind, social perception, and social behaviour), with these deficits robust across both left and right lateralized lesions, as well as social cognitive assessments that differed in their broader cognitive demands and their modality of presentation. The second core part of the thesis involved an extensive empirical study (Chapter 3) addressing limitations of the broader literature identified by the meta-analysis. Seventy participants (35 people who had suffered a first-time stroke and 35 demographically-matched controls) completed a comprehensive social cognitive test battery, background neuropsychological tests and measures related to quality of life. Key results indicated that while affective empathy remained intact following stroke, again there was evidence of significant stroke-related impairment for all three other social cognitive domains. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF1) is a common neurogenetic disorder and an important cause of intellectual disability. Brain-behaviour associations can be examined in vivo using morphometric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to study brain structure. Here, we studied structural and behavioural phenotypes in heterozygous Nf1 mice (Nf1(+/-) ) using T2-weighted imaging MRI and DTI, with a focus on social recognition deficits. We found that Nf1(+/-) mice have larger volumes than wild-type (WT) mice in regions of interest involved in social cognition, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the caudate-putamen (CPu). Higher diffusivity was found across a distributed network of cortical and subcortical brain regions, within and beyond these regions. Significant differences were observed for the social recognition test. Most importantly, significant structure-function correlations were identified concerning social recognition performance and PFC volumes in Nf1(+/-) mice. Analyses of spatial learning corroborated the previously known deficits in the mutant mice, as corroborated by platform crossings, training quadrant time and average proximity measures. Moreover, linear discriminant analysis of spatial performance identified 2 separate sub-groups in Nf1(+/-) mice. A significant correlation between quadrant time and CPu volumes was found specifically for the sub-group of Nf1(+/-) mice with lower spatial learning performance, suggesting additional evidence for reorganization of this region. We found strong evidence that social and spatial cognition deficits can be associated with PFC/CPu structural changes and reorganization in NF1.

Childhood maltreatment has been linked to impairments in social functioning and social cognition in adults with affective disorders. However, conclusions have been limited by inconsistent findings across different maltreatment subtypes and social domains. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify associations between childhood maltreatment (overall and subtypes - physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse, and/or physical and/or emotional neglect) and different domains of social functioning and social cognition in adults with affective disorders (bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder). We also examined effect moderators and mediators of these associations. A systematic search was performed on 12.12.2022 which identified 29 studies included in qualitative synthesis (n = 3022 individuals with affective disorders), of which 27 (n = 2957) were pooled in meta-analyses. Across studies, five social functioning and five social cognition domains were examined, of which four domains of social functioning and two domains of social cognition had sufficient data for meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42022288976). Social functioning: childhood maltreatment was associated with lower global social functioning (r = -0.11 to -0.20), poorer interpersonal relations (r = -0.18 to -0.33), and with aggressive behaviour (r = 0.20-0.29) but was unrelated to vocational functioning. Emotional abuse and emotional neglect showed the largest magnitudes of effect. Social cognition: there was no meta-analytic evidence of associations between maltreatment and social cognition domains. Exploratory moderation analyses did not identify any consistent moderators. Narrative synthesis identified attachment style as possible moderator, and sensory patterns, anxiety, and depressive symptoms as possible mediators between childhood maltreatment and social outcomes. Overall, the available evidence was limited, particularly in relation to social cognition. Adults with affective disorders are at risk of social functioning difficulties after childhood maltreatment exposure, an effect observed across multiple maltreatment subtypes, social functioning domains, and diagnoses. Addressing social functioning problems may benefit maltreated adults with both bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

BackgroundChildren with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show impairment in reciprocal social communication, which includes deficits in social cognition and behavior. Since social cognition and social behavior are considered to be interdependent, it is valuable to examine social processes on multiple levels of analysis. Neuropsychological measures of face processing often reveal deficits in social cognition in ASD including the ability to identify and remember facial information. However, the extent to which neuropsychological measures are associated with or predictive of real-world social behavior is unclear.MethodsThe study investigated 66 children (ASD 34, typically developing (TD) 32) using neuropsychological measures of face processing (identity, affect, and memory). Children also participated in a peer interaction paradigm, which allowed observation and coding of natural social interaction behaviors during play with peers (e.g., Self-Play, Cooperative Play, Verbal Bout). ANCOVA, regression, and correlation models analyzed between-group differences, the ability of neuropsychological measures to predict social behavior, and the strength of the associations.ResultsBetween-group differences were shown on Memory for Faces Delayed and the peer interaction variables Self-Play and Verbal Bout. Regression models indicated that Memory for Faces Delayed predicted the amount of Self-Play, Equipment use alone, and Cooperative Play with peers on the playground. Autism symptomology only predicted verbal exchange with peers.ConclusionsFace memory strongly predicts relevant social engagement patterns in both children with and without ASD. Impairment in facial memory is associated with reduced ‘real-world’ social interaction and more self-play, whereas higher performance in face memory predicts more cooperative play. Results highlight the strong connection between face memory and reciprocal social interaction, suggesting that improvement in one may benefit the other.

Emotion recognition and theory of mind are related to gray matter volume of the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia

Social cognition is a cognitive domain that helps individuals to make sense of self in relation to others and the environment. This chapter aims to summarize the importance of social cognition in old adults and how social cognition play a role in the life of geriatrics. The first section introduces the topic which is followed by the history of social cognition among various cultures. The next section elaborates on theory of mind which is a major component of social cognition. Section 4 highlights the theories of social cognition along with their advantages and limitations. From Section 5 onwards, the chapter focuses on social cognition among geriatrics. It includes the factors that contributing factors to social cognitive changes in old age, the assessments for measuring and identifying deficits in social cognition among old adults, the common decrements observed in the population, and suitable interventions to maintain and enhance social cognition in geriatrics.

Theory of mind and executive functions in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: A cross-diagnostic latent class analysis for identification of neuropsychological subtypes

Interventions for the treatment of theory of mind deficits in schizophrenia: Systematic literature review

Meta-analysis of social cognition in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Do delivery routes of intranasally administered oxytocin account for observed effects on social cognition and behavior? A two-level model

Background: Migraine is a neurological disorder that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life, with a growing global burden. This condition is characterized by recurrent headaches with symptoms like nausea and photophobia, with limited analysis of its cognitive effects, especially in social cognition. Methods: This narrative review investigates how migraine, especially in its chronic and medication-overuse forms, affects social cognition, focusing on domains such as Theory of Mind (ToM), emotion recognition, and empathy. Social cognition impairments in patients with migraine contribute to difficulties in maintaining relationships and effective communication, exacerbating the disorder’s emotional and social burden. Results: The reviewed literature shows that migraine is associated with a significant deficit in social cognition, particularly in chronic and medication-overuse headache (MOH). ToM deficits are frequently observed, as individuals with migraine struggle to attribute mental states to others, which impacts their ability to interpret social cues. Emotion recognition impairments, especially in recognizing subtle facial expressions, and difficulties with empathy are also reported, further complicating interpersonal interactions. Neuroimaging studies suggest that these cognitive deficits have a neural basis, with altered activation in areas involved in emotion processing. Alexithymia, often present in patients with migraine, is linked to these social cognitive difficulties, particularly affecting emotional awareness and empathy. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for specific assessment tools and interventions aimed at improving social cognition in these patients. Such interventions could help improve the emotional and social impact of the disorder and improve overall patient outcomes. Future research should explore these mechanisms further and develop targeted therapies to support patients’ social and emotional well-being.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often proposed to be the condition of atypical social cognition, because the social behaviours observed in ASD can be attributed to a range of atypicalities in underlying social cognitive processing. This chapter presents and critiques the most prominent social cognitive theories. We suggest that the ‘Theory of Mind’ theory of autism—which proposes that autistic social atypicalities are best explained by difficulties in inferring the mental states of other people—continues to be the most compelling social cognitive theory, with the greatest explanatory power. We also reflect upon ongoing issues that stymy our understanding of the social cognitive underpinnings of ASD, including heterogeneity, co-occurring conditions, and compensatory ability. Finally, the chapter touches on ongoing debates in the field and suggests avenues for future research required to facilitate knowledge of autistic social behaviour and cognition across the whole lifespan.

Reading the Mind in the Eyes: A Population-Based Study of Social Cognition in Older Adults