Characterization of social cognition impairment in multiple sclerosis

Neuhaus, Mireille; Bagutti, Sara; Yaldizli, Özgür; Zwahlen, Dominik; Schaub, Simeon; Frey, B N; Fischer‐Barnicol, Bettina; Burgunder, Jean‐Marc; Martory, Marie-Dominique; Pöttgen, Jana; Annoni, Jean‐Marie; Penner, Iris‐Katharina

doi:10.1111/ene.13457

Cited by 36 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Contrasting this resting-state-based functional connectivity signature to those functional patterns related to other common MS symptoms (i.e., fatigue, motor/sensory function deficits, depression, anxiety) showed no overlap, lending further support to its function as distinct neural substrate. The correlation of reduced implicit ER with levels of fatigue has previously been interpreted as an indication for possible common neural networks that might underlie these symptoms (52). In general, functional connectivity maps for fatigue, motor/sensory function, and implicit ER showed very little overlap, restricted to the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distinct Functional Connectivity Signatures of Impaired Social Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis

et al. 2020

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Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by impairments in basic cognitive functions such as information processing speed as well as in more complex, higher-order domains such as social cognition. However, as these deficits often co-occur, it has remained challenging to determine whether they have a specific pathological basis or are driven by shared biology. Methods: To identify neural signatures of social cognition deficits in MS, data were analyzed from n = 29 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and n = 29 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and education. We used neuropsychological assessments of information processing speed, attention, learning, working memory, and relevant aspects of social cognition (theory of mind, emotion recognition (ER), empathy) and employed neuroimaging of CNS networks using resting-state functional connectivity. Results: MS patients showed significant deficits in verbal learning and memory, as well as implicit ER. Performance in these domains was uncorrelated. Functional connectivity analysis identified a distinct network characterized by significant associations between poorer ER and lower connectivity of the fusiform gyrus (FFG) with the right lateral occipital cortex, which also showed lower connectivity in patients compared to controls. Moreover, while ER was correlated with MS symptoms such as fatigue and motor/sensory functioning on a behavioral level, FFG connectivity signatures of social cognition deficits showed no overlap with these symptoms. Conclusions: Our analyses identify distinct functional connectivity signatures of social cognition deficits in MS, indicating that these alterations may occur independently from those in other neuropsychological functions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distinct Functional Connectivity Signatures of Impaired Social Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis

et al. 2020

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“…These findings are consistent with a recent study by Neuhaus et al . (), which reported that social cognitive deficits were associated with fatigue. We hypothesized that psychosocial fatigue might be particularly relevant to social cognitive abilities, as navigating social relationships is thought to be draining for those with impairments in social cognition (Hull et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, the current study will examine the relationship between social cognitive abilities and fatigue. Although it has not been well‐established, there appears to be a relationship in MS between a person's social cognition and their perceived level of fatigue: a recent study found a significant relationship between social cognition (assessed by the Geneva Social Cognition Scale) and the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions in individuals with MS (Neuhaus et al ., ). While this result suggests that social cognitive deficits may be related to the perception of fatigue, it is not known if they are related to all forms of fatigue.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Relationship between social cognition and fatigue, depressive symptoms, and anxiety in multiple sclerosis

Genova

Lancaster

Lengenfelder

et al. 2019

Journal of Neuropsychology

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Emerging research indicates that in addition to physical and cognitive deficits, individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) may also have impairments in social cognition, such as facial affect recognition and Theory of Mind (ToM). However, there is little research into how social cognition impairments relate to other domains in MS, such as mood and fatigue levels. The current study investigated whether social cognitive ability is associated with fatigue, depressive symptoms and anxiety in MS. Twenty-eight individuals with MS completed questionnaires assessing fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), depression (Beck Depression Inventory) and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), as well as tasks of facial affect recognition and ToM (Reading the Mind in the Eyes; Strange Stories). Bivariate correlations were run to examine relationships between variables; partial correlations were subsequently used to ascertain whether these relationships persisted after controlling for cognitive ability (measured with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test). The results indicated that worse performance in both facial affect recognition and ToM were associated with higher rates of psychosocial fatigue, depressive symptoms, and anxiety levels; furthermore, these relationships were not explained by participants' cognitive ability. These preliminary results help us better understand the association between social cognitive abilities and other symptoms in MS, including depressive symptomatology, anxiety and fatigue.

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“…The role played by deficits in cognitive functions on ToM impairment is another point of debate (Cabinio et al, 2015; Chalah et al, 2017; Ciampi et al, 2018; Neuhaus et al, 2018; Wade et al, 2018). This aspect is particularly interesting considering that social cognition involves specific networks that overlap and are connected with areas recruited for other cognitive functions (Henry et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Mind and Long-Lasting Disease: Focus on Affective and Cognitive Theory of Mind in Multiple Sclerosis

et al. 2019

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The role of social cognition, including theory of mind (ToM), in affecting quality of life (QoL) along the course of diseases has been reported. This is a considerable aspect in chronic pathologies, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), in which supporting and maintaining QoL is of crucial importance. We aimed to investigate the relation between ToM, clinical variables and neuropsychological profile in a cohort of adults with long lasting disease, such as different clinical MS phenotypes (Relapsing Remitting -RR- versus Progressive -Pr). In particular, our study focuses on (1) how (affective and cognitive) ToM impairment occurs in different phenotypes, (2) whether MS ToM impairment is secondary to or independent from cognitive deficit and (3) whether ToM deficit impacts QoL. 42 adults with MS (18 M: 24 F, 52.38 ± 10.31 mean age, 21.24 ± 10.94 mean disease duration, 26 RR and 16 Pr) and 26 matched healthy controls (HC) (7 M: 19 F, 51.35 ± 12.42 mean age) were screened with a neuropsychological and ToM battery, assessing both affective and cognitive components. We found statistically significant groups differences in cognitive but not affective ToM, with a lower performance in PrMS than those with a RRMS disease course. Also, significant predictive effects of neuropsychological tests on ToM were identified in MS group. Finally, MS people with different level of affective ToM differed significantly in QoL. ToM deficit in moderately disabled people with MS involves cognitive but not affective ToM components with implications on QoL. It also appears to be related to cognitive performance. As neurological and neurocognitive profiles influence mentalizing in MS, ToM evaluation should be considered for inclusion in clinical screening.

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Characterization of social cognition impairment in multiple sclerosis

Cited by 36 publications

References 28 publications

Distinct Functional Connectivity Signatures of Impaired Social Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis

Distinct Functional Connectivity Signatures of Impaired Social Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis

Relationship between social cognition and fatigue, depressive symptoms, and anxiety in multiple sclerosis

Social Mind and Long-Lasting Disease: Focus on Affective and Cognitive Theory of Mind in Multiple Sclerosis

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