The relationship between performance in a theory of mind task and intrinsic functional connectivity in youth with early onset psychosis

Publication date: Available online 5 November 2019Source: Developmental Cognitive NeuroscienceAuthor(s): Daniel Ilzarbe, Elena de la Serna, Inmaculada Baeza, Mireia Rosa, Olga Puig, Anna Calvo, Mireia Masias, Roger Borras, Jose C. Pariente, Josefina Castro-Fornieles J, Gisela SugranyesAbstractPsychotic disorders are characterized by theory of mind (ToM) impairment. Although ToM undergoes maturational changes throughout adolescence, there is a lack of studies examining ToM performance and its brain functional correlates in individuals with an early onset of psychosis (EOP; onset prior to age 18), and its relationship with age. Twenty-seven individuals with EOP were compared with 41 healthy volunteers using the “Reading-the-Mind-in-the-Eyes” Test, as a measure of ToM performance. A resting-state functional MRI scan was also acquired, in which the default mode network was used to identify areas relevant to ToM processing employing independent component analysis. Group effects revealed worse ToM performance and less intrinsic functional connectivity in the medial prefrontal cortex in EOP relative to healthy volunteers. Group by age interaction revealed age-positive associations in ToM task performance and in intrinsic connectivity in the medial prefrontal cortex in healthy volunteers, which were not present in EOP. Differences in ToM performance were partially mediated by intrinsic functional connectivity in the medial prefrontal cortex. Poorer ToM performance in EOP, coupled...
Source: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research