title: Theory of mind in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
abstract: Theory of mind (ToM) is a crucial aspect of social cognition and is mediated by a complex neural network. Studies on temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) suggest that its neuropathological involvement includes several brain regions. Some regions seem to overlap the neural network responsible for ToM, and this overlap provides an opportunity to explore ToM in TLE patients. Another concern is psychosocial problems in TLE, and the study of ToM in TLE could serve as a basis for further understanding the nature of such psychosocial disturbances. Studies on whether TLE patients evidence ToM deficit, however, are scant and controversial. Consequently, we examine whether ToM deficit is evident in TLE. Thirty-one TLE patients and 24 matched controls were recruited and completed four tasks measuring different levels of ToM: false belief, faux pas recognition, processing of implied meanings, and cartoon ToM. The patients were impaired in both basic and advanced ToM. Right TLE had a more wide-ranging picture of deficit than left TLE. ToM appears to be vulnerable to TLE, especially on the right side. Since ToM might contribute to patients' psychosocial adjustment, we thus suggest that a ToM measure be included in regular neuropsychological assessments of such patients.
authors: Division of Clinical Psychology, Yu-Li Hospital, Department of the Health, Executive Yuan, R.O.C., Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Yi-Hsing
authors: YH
authors: Li
authors: Ming-Jang
authors: MJ
authors: Chiu
authors: Zai-Ting
authors: ZT
authors: Yeh
authors: Horng-Huei
authors: HH
authors: Liou
authors: Ting-Wen
authors: TW
authors: Cheng
authors: Mau-Sun
authors: MS
authors: Hua
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D032882:Comprehension; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012919:Social Behavior; D056345:Theory of Mind / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult