In two minds: executive functioning versus theory of mind in behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia.
BACKGROUND
The relationship of executive function (EF) and theory of mind (ToM) deficits in neurodegeneration is still debated. There is contradicting evidence as to whether these cognitive processes are overlapping or distinct, which has clear clinical relevance for the evaluation of their associated clinical symptoms.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship of EF and ToM deficits via a data-driven approach in a large sample of patients with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD).


METHODS
Data of 46 patients with bvFTD were employed in a hierarchical cluster analysis to determine the similarity of variance between different EF measures (verbal abstraction, verbal initiation, motor programming, sensitivity to interference, inhibitory control, visual abstraction, flexibility, working memory/attention) and ToM (faux pas).


RESULTS
Overall results showed that EF measures were clustered separately from the ToM measure. A post hoc analysis revealed a more complex picture where selected ToM subcomponents (empathy; intention) showed a relationship to specific EF measures (verbal abstraction; working memory/attention), whereas the remaining EF and ToM subcomponents were separate.


CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, these findings suggest that EF and ToM are distinct components; however, ToM empathy and intention subcomponents might share some functions with specific EF processes. This has important implications for guiding diagnostic assessment of these deficits in clinical conditions.
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, UK Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d'Alzheimer, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Université Paris VI, Paris, France.
Maxime
M
Bertoux
Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Unit, University of Cambridge, UK.
Claire
C
O'Callaghan
Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d'Alzheimer, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Université Paris VI, Paris, France.
Bruno
B
Dubois
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, UK.
Michael
M
Hornberger
D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D056344:Executive Function; D057180:Frontotemporal Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D056345:Theory of Mind
COGNITION; COGNITIVE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY; DEMENTIA; FRONTAL LOBE; NEUROPSYCHOLOGY