Cognitive but not affective Theory of Mind (ToM) deficits in mild Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)

ROCA, M; MANES, F; GLEICHGERRCHT, E; IBAÑEZ, A; GONZALEZ TOLEDO, M; MARENCO, V; BRUNO, D; TORRALVA, T; SINAY, V

COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL NEUROLOGY

LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS

Lugar: Philadelphia; Año: 2014 vol. 27 p. 25 - 30

1543-3633

Dissociations between cognitive and affective ToMhave been found in several neurologic and neuropsychiatricdiseases. Most ToM studies in patients with MS have showngeneral ToM deficits but have not analyzed the cognitive andaffective aspects individually. Methods: We used the Faux Pas test of ToM and tests of executivefunction to assess 18 patients with mild relapsing-remittingMS and 16 control participants. Results: Our patients showed deficits in cognitive ToM, but theiraffective ToM seemed to be spared. Their cognitive ToM deficitswere not related to executive dysfunction, depression, or fatigue. Conclusions: Our study is the first differential analysis showingcognitive but not affective ToM deficits in mild relapsing-remittingMS. Further research is needed to determine the exactnature and the real impact of these deficits, and to establish theirrelationship with the neuropathology and progression of MS.