Theory of Mind in Alzheimer Disease

Cardoso Moreno, María Jesús (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Pérez, Alba ; Casas, María A. ; Armengod, Marta

Resumen: Introduction
The ability to understand and attribute mental states, including intentions, knowledge and desires, to both ourselves and other people, is referred to as possession of a ‘Theory of Mind’ (ToM). Some studies have revealed an association between ToM abilities and Executive Functioning (EF) capacities Although many types of research had documented executive dysfunction in Alzheimer Disease (AD), the link between executive functions (EFs) and ToM is not yet fully studied in AD. Therefore the main aim of the present study is to know if patients with early AD are able to resolve a First Order False belief task.
Method
A total of 22 patients with early Alzheimer´s disease were recruited into the study from a dementia speciality clinic in Zaragoza, Spain. In this study, we tested a first-order belief task. Executive function was assessed using “Executive functions and frontal lobes test” (BANFE-2).
Patients with AD showed mild and moderate scores in the BANFE-2. When we analysed the data
we found that 72,7% of the subject can resolve the task (χ² = 4.12; p = 0.021). When we analysed
the data according to gender we found that women resolve the TOM task better than men (χ² =
6.26; p = 0.012). There were no age differences in TOM task.
Results
The data of this research showed that patients with AD were able to attribute first-order False
Beliefs. We hypothesized that compensatory mechanisms could allow functional social interaction
in AD patients.
Discussion

Idioma: Inglés

Año: 2019

Publicado en: CPQ Neurology and Psychology 1, 3 (2019), [10 pp.]
ISSN:

Originalmente disponible en: Texto completo de la revista

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S57-17R

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Psicolog.Evolut.Educac (Dpto. Psicología y Sociología)