Self-awareness in Dementia: a Taxonomy of Processes, Overview of Findings, and Integrative Framework

AbstractPurpose of ReviewSelf-awareness, the capacity of becoming the object of one ’s own awareness, has been a frontier of knowledge, but only recently scientific approaches to the theme have advanced. Self-awareness has important clinical implications, and a finer understanding of this concept may improve the clinical management of people with dementia. The current article aim s to explore self-awareness, from a neurobiological perspective, in dementia.Recent FindingsA taxonomy of self-awareness processes is presented, discussing how these can be structured across different levels of cognitive complexity. Findings on self-awareness in dementia are reviewed, indicating the relative preservation of capacities such as body ownership and agency, despite impairments in higher-level cognitive processes, such as autobiographical memory and emotional regulation.SummaryAn integrative framework, based on predictive coding and compensatory abilities linked to the resilience of self-awareness in dementia, is discussed, highlighting possible avenues for future research into the topic.
Source: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research