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Alterations in neural Theory of Mind processing in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and unaffected relatives
Author(s) -
Willert Anna,
Mohnke Sebastian,
Erk Susanne,
Schnell Knut,
RomanczukSeiferth Nina,
Quinlivan Esther,
Schreiter Stefanie,
Spengler Stephanie,
Herold Dorrit,
Wackerhagen Carolin,
Romund Lydia,
Garbusow Maria,
Lett Tristram,
Stamm Thomas,
Adli Mazda,
Heinz Andreas,
Bermpohl Felix,
Walter Henrik
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
bipolar disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.285
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1399-5618
pISSN - 1398-5647
DOI - 10.1111/bdi.12352
Subject(s) - bipolar disorder , psychology , temporoparietal junction , functional magnetic resonance imaging , prefrontal cortex , neuroscience , theory of mind , neural correlates of consciousness , functional connectivity , first degree relatives , bipolar i disorder , cognition , medicine , family history , mania
Objectives Behavioral deficits in the Theory of Mind (ToM) have been robustly demonstrated in bipolar disorder. These deficits may represent an intermediate phenotype of the disease. The aim of this study was: (i) to investigate alterations in neural ToM processing in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder, and (ii) to examine whether similar effects are present in unaffected relatives of patients with bipolar disorder suggesting that ToM functional activation may be, in part, due to genetic risk for the disease. Methods A total of 24 euthymic patients with bipolar disorder, 21 unaffected first‐degree relatives, and 81 healthy controls completed a ToM task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results We observed reduced bilateral activation of the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and diminished functional fronto‐temporoparietal connectivity in patients compared to controls. Relatives tended towards intermediate temporoparietal activity and functional coupling with medial prefrontal areas. There was also evidence for a potentially compensatory enhanced recruitment of the right middle temporal gyrus and stronger connectivity between this region and the medial prefrontal cortex in relatives. Conclusions These findings provide further evidence of altered neural ToM processing in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder. Further, our findings in relatives lend support to the idea that altered ToM processing may act as an intermediate phenotype of the disorder.