Cognitive Theory of Mind Deficit Associated with Executive Dysfunction in Cervical Dystonia

Abstract

Introduction. Cervical dystonia (CD) is viewed as a circumscribed movement disorder. However, beyond motor symptoms, it can imply subtle cognitive change, among others with respect to theory of mind (ToM) capacities. Here, affective and cognitive ToM performances and potential relations to other mental functions were investigated to refine the concept of social cognitive dysfunction in CD. Methods. 20 persons with CD were clinically assessed, together with 20 healthy controls engaged in overview cognitive testing, executive function (EF) tasks, and the Faux Pas Recognition Test (FPRT) as well as the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Tests (RMET) addressing cognitive and affective ToM functions, respectively. Results. Persons with CD showed lower cognitive, but not affective ToM performance than controls. Further, they had abnormally low word production in verbal fluency (VF) tasks, imposing high EF demands. Generally, ToM performance correlated with VF and, further, with the decreased quality of life score in persons with CD. Conclusion. Cognitive ToM deficits seem to occur in the context of executive dysfunction in CD. They belong to an underrecognized spectrum of nonmotor symptoms of likely clinical relevance.