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(TOM) 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 by using Reading the Mind in the Eyes and Faux Pas task involving ToM socialperceptual component and social-cognitive component.The severity of PD was assessed by the Hoehn and Yahr scale.Results Significant difference was found between PD group and health controls in 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 as 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.