Impaired theory of mind in Parkinson's disease / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To characterize social-perceptual component and social-cognitive component of theory of mind in patients with Parkinson's disease.Methods A total of 19 patients with idiopathic PD and 20 demographic-matched health subjects were included in this study.They were assessed using Reading the Mind in the Eyes and faux pas task involving ToM social-perceptual component and social-cognitive component.The severity of PD was assessed on the Hoehn and Yahr scale.Results Significant difference was found between PD group and health controls on task involving ToM social-perceptual component (mind Reading17.1 ± 3.1 vs.30.4 ± 1.7,F=278.756,P ＜0.001),test involving social-cognitive component (Faux pas Questions29.0± 4.0 vs.41.2 ± 4.4,F =81.647,P＜0.001).While the ability to identify sex and control questions of the faux pas showed no significant difference compared to health controls group (F =3.508,P =0.069 ; F =1.063,P =0.309).Conclusions The ToM social-perceptual component and social-cognitive component are both impaired in patients with Parkinson's disease.