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García-Sanchoyerto M, Salgueiro M, Ortega J, Rodríguez AA, Parada-Fernández P, Amayra I. Facial and Emotion Recognition Deficits in Myasthenia Gravis. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1582. [PMID: 39201141 PMCID: PMC11353744 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12161582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease of autoimmune etiology and chronic evolution. In addition to the muscle weakness and fatigue that characterize MG, in some studies patients show an inferior performance in cognitive tasks and difficulties in recognizing basic emotions from facial expressions. However, it remains unclear if these difficulties are due to anxious-depressive symptoms that these patients present or related to cognitive abilities, such as facial recognition. This study had a descriptive cross-sectional design with a sample of 92 participants, 52 patients with MG and 40 healthy controls. The data collection protocol included measures to assess recognition of facial expressions (BRFT), facial emotional expression (FEEL), and levels of anxiety and depression (HADS). The MG group had worse performance than the control group in recognizing "fear" (p = 0.001; r = 0.344), "happiness" (p = 0.000; r = 0.580), "disgust" (p = 0.000; r = 0.399), "surprise" (p = 0.000; r = 0.602), and "anger" (p = 0.007; r = 0.284). Likewise, the MG group also underperformed in facial recognition (p = 0.001; r = 0.338). These difficulties were not related to their levels of anxiety and depression. Alterations were observed both in the recognition of facial emotions and in facial recognition, without being mediated by emotional variables. These difficulties can influence the interpersonal interaction of patients with MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maddalen García-Sanchoyerto
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain; (A.A.R.); (I.A.)
| | - Monika Salgueiro
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 20018 Donostia, Spain;
| | - Javiera Ortega
- Centro Investigaciones de Psicología y Psicopedagogía [CIPP], Facultad de Psicología y Psicopedagogía, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1107, Argentina;
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
| | - Alicia Aurora Rodríguez
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain; (A.A.R.); (I.A.)
| | - Pamela Parada-Fernández
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatric and Psychology Unit, IMQ AMSA, 48010 Bilbao, Spain;
- Departamento de Psicología, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Imanol Amayra
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain; (A.A.R.); (I.A.)
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García I, Martínez O, López-Paz JF, García M, Rodríguez AA, Amayra I. Difficulties in social cognitive functioning among pediatric patients with muscular dystrophies. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1296532. [PMID: 38239460 PMCID: PMC10794305 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1296532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pediatric muscular dystrophies (MDs) are a heterogeneous group of rare neuromuscular diseases characterized by progressive muscle degeneration. A neuropsychosocial approach is crucial for these patients due to associated cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric comorbidities; however, the social cognitive domain has not been adequately addressed. Methods This study aimed to analyze on social cognition performance in a pediatric MD patient cohort. This cross-sectional study included 32 pediatric patients with MD and 32 matched-healthy controls. The Social Perception Domain of the NEPSY-II, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test-Child and Happé's Strange Stories Test were administered. General intelligence and behavioral and emotional symptoms were controlled for to eliminate covariables' possible influence. The assessments were performed remotely. Results Children with MDs performed significantly worse on most of the social cognition tasks. The differences found between the groups could be explained by the level of general intelligence for some aspects more related to theory of mind (ToM) (TM NEPSY-II: F = 1.703, p = .197; Verbal task: F = 2.411, p = .125; RMET-C: F = 2.899, p = .094), but not for emotion recognition. Furthermore, these differences were also independent of behavioral and emotional symptoms. Discussion In conclusion, social cognition is apparently impaired in pediatric patients with MD, both for emotion recognition and ToM. Screening assessment in social cognition should be considered to promote early interventions aimed at improving these patient's quality of life.
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García I, Martínez O, López-Paz JF, García M, Espinosa-Blanco P, Rodríguez AA, Pallarès-Sastre M, Ruiz de Lazcano A, Amayra I. Social cognition in DMD and BMD dystrophinopathies: A cross-sectional preliminary study. Clin Neuropsychol 2024; 38:219-234. [PMID: 37081823 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2023.2202332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Objective: The dystrophinopathies called Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD) are rare, progressive, incurable, and life-limiting paediatric-onset neuromuscular diseases. These diseases have long been associated with specific neuropsychological deficits. However, the performance of these patients in the social cognition domain has not been properly investigated. Thus, the main objective of this study was to compare the performance on social cognition between DMD/BMD patients and healthy age-matched boys. Method: This cross-sectional study included 20 DMD/BMD children and adolescents and 20 healthy controls. The protocol included the Social Perception Domain of the NEPSY-II, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test - Child and Happé's Strange Stories test. General intelligence was controlled to eliminate the possible influence of covariables. All the assessments were performed remotely. Results: Most social cognition tasks were worse in patients with DMD/BMD than in matched healthy controls. These differences remained even after controlling for the general intelligence variable, with the exception of Total Disgust Errors (F = 1.462, p = .234, η2p= .038) and Verbal task (F = 1.820, p = .185, η2p= .047) scores from the NEPSY-II. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate that the neuropsychological domain of social cognition is impaired in DMD/BMD patients, independent of the level of general intelligence. Screening assessments in DMD/BMD patients should be promoted to allow social cognition difficulties to be detected at an early stage to enhance patients' quality of life and social development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irune García
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Oscar Martínez
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Juan Francisco López-Paz
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Maitane García
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Patricia Espinosa-Blanco
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Alicia Aurora Rodríguez
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Mercè Pallarès-Sastre
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Aitana Ruiz de Lazcano
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Imanol Amayra
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
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Bush SS, Dutt A, Fernández AL, Łojek E, McDonald S, Schrieff-Brown L. Ethical issues in clinical neuropsychology: International diversity perspectives. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37972552 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2023.2278153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Much of the information about the ethical practice of clinical neuropsychology has focused on North America. Additionally, of the scholarly publications on the intersection of ethical issues and cultural diversity practices in neuropsychology, most have focused on North America. The extent to which practitioners in other parts of the world are aware of, and find useful, such information is largely unknown. Similarly, the extent to which North American neuropsychologists are familiar with ethical issues and challenges encountered around the world is unknown. The purpose of this article is to advance the discussion of ethical issues in clinical neuropsychology from an international diversity perspective. METHOD The article presents, via a panel interview format, the thoughts and experiences of a small sample of neuropsychologists who represent all continents except North America (and Antarctica). RESULTS Neuropsychologists across continents share an ethical commitment to providing services that are beneficial, and not harmful, to the recipients of the services. Professional competence is at the heart of such services. CONCLUSIONS Through continued and expanded dialogue about ethical issues with neuropsychology colleagues around the world, the potential exists for improvement in the provision of effective and compassionate care in our own towns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane S Bush
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
- Long Island Neuropsychology, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY, USA
| | - Aparna Dutt
- Neuropsychology & Clinical Psychology Unit, Duttanagar Mental Health Centre, Kolkata, India
| | - Alberto Luis Fernández
- Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Emilia Łojek
- Faculty of Psychology, Head of the Neuropsychological Section Polish Psychological Association, Vice-Dean for Research, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Alduais A, Trivkovic T, Allegretta S, Alfadda H. Neuropragmatics: A scientometric review. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2023:1-31. [PMID: 37708841 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2023.2251634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Neuropragmatics investigates brain functions and neural activities responsible for pragmatic language abilities, often impaired in disorders such as hemisphere damage, autism, schizophrenia, and neurodegenerative disorders. This study examined the development of neuropragmatics and existing neuroimaging evidence using bibliometric and scientometric indicators, analyzing 4,247 documents published between 1967 and 2022 with CiteSpace and VOSviewer. Our cluster analysis revealed key themes. 1) Language comprehension loss due to brain injury: Studies exploring the impact of brain injuries on language comprehension and underlying neural mechanisms. 2) Right hemisphere damage and pragmatic language skills: Research focusing on the relationship between right hemisphere damage and pragmatic language abilities, investigating impairments in social language use and potential neural correlates. 3) Traumatic brain injury and social communication assessment: Research on traumatic brain injury effects on social communication skills, using various assessment tools to evaluate communication effectiveness in social situations. These clusters provide valuable insights into the neuropragmatics field and serve as a framework for future investigations. By building upon existing knowledge, researchers can improve our understanding of brain functions, language behavior, and enhance rehabilitation for individuals with pragmatic language impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Alduais
- Department of Human Sciences (Psychology), University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Tamara Trivkovic
- Department of Speech and Language Pathology, College of Social Work, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Hind Alfadda
- Department of Curriculum and Instruction, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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