It is now well accepted that theory of mind (ToM) functioning is impaired in Parkinson’s
disease (PD) patients. However, what remain unknown are the functions that underlie this impairment.
It has been suggested that cognitive skills may be key in this area of functioning; however, many of
the cognitive tests used to assess this have relied on intact visuospatial abilities. This study
aimed to examine whether deficits in ToM were generated by cognitive or visuospatial dysfunction and
the mediating effect of visuospatial function on ToM performance. Fifty PD patients (31 male, 19
female; mean age = 66.34 years) and 49 healthy controls (16 male, 33 female; mean age = 67.29 years)
completed a ToM task (reading the mind in the eyes) and visuospatial task (line orientation). The
results revealed that current cognitive status was a significant predictor for performance on the
ToM task, and that 54% of the total effect of cognitive status on ToM was mediated by visuospatial
abilities. It was concluded that visuospatial functioning plays an important mediating role for the
relationship between executive dysfunction and affective ToM deficits in PD patients, and that
visuospatial deficits may directly contribute to the presence of affective ToM difficulties seen in
individuals with PD.
A proportionately high number of children and adolescents within the mental health system reported a previous TBI. However, anxiety and other psychiatric problems were not over-represented in this group. Further research is essential for examining the characteristics of children and adolescents with TBI within the mental health system, particularly those with more severe injuries, who may present a subgroup.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with increased aggression and antisocial behavior. This review examined existing literature regarding TBI prevalence and associated adverse mental health among individuals within the criminal justice system. TBI prevalence varied between 12 and 82% for youths, and 23 and 87% for adults. TBI was associated with a range of negative outcomes, particularly substance abuse. However, confounding factors, including differing control groups, lack of information for timing and severity of TBI, and use of self-report measures for TBI history made it difficult to determine whether TBI was a risk factor. Future research should eliminate or counter for these confounds, to provide accurate prevalence rates of TBI and the direction of association between TBI and offending behaviors.
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