Anosognosia for theory of mind deficits: A single case study and a review of the literature
Neuropsychologia. 2020-11-01; 148: 107641
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107641
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Pacella V(1), Scandola M(2), Beccherle M(3), Bulgarelli C(4), Avesani R(5), Carbognin G(6), Agostini G(7), Thiebaut de Schotten M(8), Moro V(9).
Author information:
(1)Social and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology,
Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy; NPSY.Lab-VR,
Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Lungadige Porta Vittoria 17,
37129, Verona, Italy. Electronic address: .
(2)NPSY.Lab-VR, Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Lungadige
Porta Vittoria 17, 37129, Verona, Italy. Electronic address:
.
(3)Social and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology,
Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy; NPSY.Lab-VR,
Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Lungadige Porta Vittoria 17,
37129, Verona, Italy. Electronic address: .
(4)Department of Rehabilitation, IRCSS Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, via Don
A. Sempreboni 5, 37024, Negrar, Verona, Italy. Electronic address:
.
(5)Department of Rehabilitation, IRCSS Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, via Don
A. Sempreboni 5, 37024, Negrar, Verona, Italy. Electronic address:
.
(6)Department of Radiology, IRCSS Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, via Don A.
Sempreboni 5, 37024, GC, Italy. Electronic address:
.
(7)NPSY.Lab-VR, Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Lungadige
Porta Vittoria 17, 37129, Verona, Italy. Electronic address:
.
(8)Brain Connectivity and Behaviour Laboratory, Sorbonne Universities, Paris,
France; Groupe d’Imagerie Neurofonctionnelle, Institut des Maladies
Neurodégénératives-UMR 5293, CNRS, CEA University of Bordeaux, Rue Léo Saignat
146, 33000, Bordeaux, France. Electronic address: .
(9)NPSY.Lab-VR, Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Lungadige
Porta Vittoria 17, 37129, Verona, Italy. Electronic address:
.
Being aware of one’s own ability to interact socially is crucial to everyday
life. After a brain injury, patients may lose their capacity to understand
others’ intentions and beliefs, that is, the Theory of Mind (ToM). To date, the
debate on the association between ToM and other cognitive deficits (in particular
executive functions and behavioural disorders) remains open and data regarding
awareness of ToM deficits are meagre. By means of an ad-hoc neuropsychological
battery of tests, we report on a patient who suffers from ToM deficits and is not
aware of these disorders, although aware of his other symptoms. The study is
accompanied by a review of the literature (PRISMA guidelines) demonstrating that
ToM deficits are independent of executive functions. Furthermore, an advanced
lesion analysis including tractography was executed. The results indicate that:
i) ToM deficits can be specific and independent of other cognitive symptoms; ii)
unawareness may be specific for ToM impairment and not involve other disorders
and iii) the medial structures of the limbic, monitoring and attentional systems
may be involved in anosognosia for ToM impairment.
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