Teoría de la mente en trastornos del neurodesarrollo: más allá del trastorno del espectro autista / Theory of mind in neurodevelopmental disorders: Beyond autistic spectrum disorder

Introducción La teoría de la mente (ToM) es la capacidad humana de percibir, interpretar y atribuir los estados mentales de las otras personas y la alteración de esta función cognitiva es un síntoma nuclear del trastorno del espectro autista (TEA). Hay otros trastornos del neurodesarrollo como el trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo de inicio en la infancia (TOC) y el síndrome de Tourette (ST), que pueden presentarse con disfunciones cognitivas, y en los que la ToM ha sido menos estudiada, especialmente en población juvenil. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la ToM avanzada entre grupos de jóvenes con diagnóstico de TOC, ST o TEA y un grupo de controles sanos. Métodos Se entrevistaron clínicamente a varones de entre 11 y 17 años con diagnóstico principal de TOC (n = 19), ST (n = 14), TEA (n = 18), y un grupo control de sujetos sanos (n = 20). Se les administró instrumentos de estimación de cociente intelectual, severidad de los síntomas psiquiátricos y las pruebas para evaluar la ToM: la tarea Historias de la vida cotidiana y el Test de la mirada. Resultados Los jóvenes con ST presentan dificultades similares para resolver tareas de ToM avanzada al nivel de los pacientes con TEA, a diferencia de los pacientes con TOC de inicio en la infancia que presentan resultados similares a los controles sanos. Conclusiones La ToM está alterada en otros trastornos del neurodesarrollo más allá del TEA, como en el ST. (AU)

Introduction Theory of mind (ToM) is the human ability to perceive, interpret, and attribute the mental states of other people, and the alteration of this cognitive function is a core symptom of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). In such other neurodevelopmental disorders as childhood-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS) that can present with cognitive dysfunctions, ToM has been less extensively studied, especially in the young population. The aim of the study was to compare advanced ToM between groups of young people diagnosed with OCD, TS, or ASD and a control group. Methods Clinical interviews were conducted with male patients aged between 11 and 17 years with a main diagnosis of OCD (n = 19), TS (n = 14), or ASD (n = 18), and a control group (n = 20). We administered instruments for estimating intelligence quotient and severity of psychiatric symptoms, and tasks to evaluate ToM (the “Stories from everyday life” task and the “Reading the mind in the eyes” test). Results Young people with TS and with ASD present similar difficulties in solving advanced ToM tasks, whereas patients with childhood-onset OCD present similar results to controls. Conclusions ToM is altered in other neurodevelopmental disorders beyond ASD, such as TS. (AU)

Theory of mind in neurodevelopmental disorders: beyond autistic spectrum disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Theory of mind (ToM) is the human ability to perceive, interpret, and attribute the mental states of other people, and the alteration of this cognitive function is a core symptom of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). In such other neurodevelopmental disorders as childhood-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS) that can present with cognitive dysfunctions, ToM has been less extensively studied, especially in the young population. The aim of the study was to compare advanced ToM between groups of young people diagnosed with OCD, TS, or ASD and a control group. METHODS: Clinical interviews were conducted with male patients aged between 11 and 17 years with a main diagnosis of OCD (n = 19), TS (n = 14), or ASD (n = 18), and a control group (n = 20). We administered instruments for estimating intelligence quotient and severity of psychiatric symptoms, and tasks to evaluate ToM (the "Stories from everyday life" task and the "Reading the mind in the eyes" test). RESULTS: Young people with TS and with ASD present similar difficulties in solving advanced ToM tasks, whereas patients with childhood-onset OCD present similar results to controls. CONCLUSIONS: ToM is altered in other neurodevelopmental disorders beyond ASD, such as TS.

[Analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on youngsters with autistic spectrum disorder]. / Análisis del impacto de la COVID-19 en menores de edad con trastorno del espectro autista.

INTRODUCTION: The state of emergency and national lockdown declared in Spain over the coronavirus pandemic markedly impaired routines and access towards health services supports for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This population is of particular vulnerability towards sudden changes and is distinguished by their complex management. OBJECTIVES: The main goal was to qualitatively assess the psychosocial and mental state of children diagnosed with ASD affiliated to the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, during and after the first lockdown period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A survey was administered to relatives of 65 boys and girls with a main diagnosis of ASD. RESULTS: A worsening of key A symptoms was reported during lockdown. In addition, the use of new technologies, intake between meals, and anxiety symptoms increased. Recovery after lockdown was not complete in our sample. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the need for planning specific supports for minors with ASD and for resources to reverse the effects on routines, habits, and school returnal.

TITLE: Análisis del impacto de la COVID-19 en menores de edad con trastorno del espectro autista.Introducción. La declaración del confinamiento domiciliario a raíz de la pandemia de la COVID-19 alteró profundamente las rutinas y el acceso a soportes sociosanitarios en menores de edad con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA). Esta población se distingue por su elevada complejidad de manejo y vulnerabilidad ante cambios. Objetivos. Evaluar cualitativamente el estado psicosocial en menores con TEA atendidos en el Hospital Clínic de Barcelona durante el confinamiento y pasado éste. Pacientes y métodos. Se administró una encuesta, elaborada específicamente para este estudio, a los cuidadores principales de 65 niños y niñas con diagnóstico principal de TEA. Resultados. Se observó una regresión en la sintomatología nuclear del TEA. Además, aumentó el uso de nuevas tecnologías y la ingesta entre comidas, y apareció una sintomatología ansiosa. La recuperación tras el confinamiento no fue total en nuestra muestra. Conclusiones. Los resultados ponen de relieve la necesidad de planificación de soportes específicos para los menores con TEA y de recursos para revertir las afectaciones en las rutinas, los hábitos y la incorporación escolar.

Análisis del impacto de la COVID-19 en menores de edad con trastorno del espectro autista / Analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on youngsters with autistic spectrum disorder

Introducción: La declaración del confinamiento domiciliario a raíz de la pandemia de la COVID-19 alteró profundamente las rutinas y el acceso a soportes sociosanitarios en menores de edad con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA). Esta población se distingue por su elevada complejidad de manejo y vulnerabilidad ante cambios. Objetivos: Evaluar cualitativamente el estado psicosocial en menores con TEA atendidos en el Hospital Clínic de Barcelona durante el confinamiento y pasado éste.Pacientes y métodos: Se administró una encuesta, elaborada específicamente para este estudio, a los cuidadores principales de 65 niños y niñas con diagnóstico principal de TEA. Resultados: Se observó una regresión en la sintomatología nuclear del TEA. Además, aumentó el uso de nuevas tecnologías y la ingesta entre comidas, y apareció una sintomatología ansiosa. La recuperación tras el confinamiento no fue total en nuestra muestra. Conclusiones: Los resultados ponen de relieve la necesidad de planificación de soportes específicos para los menores con TEA y de recursos para revertir las afectaciones en las rutinas, los hábitos y la incorporación escolar.(AU)

Introduction: The state of emergency and national lockdown declared in Spain over the coronavirus pandemic markedly impaired routines and access towards health services supports for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This population is of particular vulnerability towards sudden changes and is distinguished by their complex management. Objectives: The main goal was to qualitatively assess the psychosocial and mental state of children diagnosed with ASD affiliated to the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, during and after the first lockdown period. Patients and methods. A survey was administered to relatives of 65 boys and girls with a main diagnosis of ASD. Results. A worsening of key ASD symptoms was reported during lockdown. In addition, the use of new technologies, intake between meals, and anxiety symptoms increased. Recovery after lockdown was not complete in our sample. Conclusions: These results highlight the need for planning specific supports for minors with ASD and for resources to reverse the effects on routines, habits, and school returnal.(AU)

Theory of mind in neurodevelopmental disorders: Beyond autistic spectrum disorder. / Teoría de la mente en trastornos del neurodesarrollo: más allá del trastorno del espectro autista.

INTRODUCTION: Theory of mind (ToM) is the human ability to perceive, interpret, and attribute the mental states of other people, and the alteration of this cognitive function is a core symptom of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). In such other neurodevelopmental disorders as childhood-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS) that can present with cognitive dysfunctions, ToM has been less extensively studied, especially in the young population. The aim of the study was to compare advanced ToM between groups of young people diagnosed with OCD, TS, or ASD and a control group. METHODS: Clinical interviews were conducted with male patients aged between 11 and 17 years with a main diagnosis of OCD (n=19), TS (n=14), or ASD (n=18), and a control group (n=20). We administered instruments for estimating intelligence quotient and severity of psychiatric symptoms, and tasks to evaluate ToM (the "Stories from everyday life" task and the "Reading the mind in the eyes" test). RESULTS: Young people with TS and with ASD present similar difficulties in solving advanced ToM tasks, whereas patients with childhood-onset OCD present similar results to controls. CONCLUSIONS: ToM is altered in other neurodevelopmental disorders beyond ASD, such as TS.