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Coenen MA, Spikman JM, Smit M, Klooster J, Tijssen MAJ, Gerritsen MJJ. Moving on with (social) cognition in idiopathic cervical dystonia. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2024; 30:464-470. [PMID: 38223955 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617723011426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cervical dystonia (CD) is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions causing sustained twisting movements and abnormal postures of the neck and head. Assumed affected neuronal regions are the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical circuits, which are also involved in cognitive functioning. Indeed, impairments in different cognitive domains have been found in CD patients. However, to date studies have only investigated a limited range of cognitive functions within the same sample. In particular, social cognition (SC) is often missing from study designs. Hence, we aimed to evaluate a broad range of cognitive functions including SC in CD patients. METHOD In the present study 20 idiopathic CD patients and 40 age-, gender-, and IQ-matched healthy controls (HCs) were assessed with tests for non-SC (verbal memory, psychomotor speed, and executive functions) as well as for SC (emotion recognition, Theory of Mind (ToM), and empathy). RESULTS CD patients scored on average significantly lower than HC on tests for non-SC, but did not show impairments on any of the tests for SC. CONCLUSIONS The current study showed impairments in non-SC in CD, but intact social cognitive functions. These results underline the importance of recognizing non-motor symptoms in idiopathic CD patients, but emphasize a focus on identifying strengths and weaknesses in cognitive functioning as these influence daily life activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maraike A Coenen
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacoba M Spikman
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marenka Smit
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jesper Klooster
- Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands
- Tactus Verslavingszorg, Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | - Marina A J Tijssen
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marleen J J Gerritsen
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Psychology, Deventer Ziekenhuis, Deventer, The Netherlands
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Defazio G, Muroni A, Taurisano P, Gigante AF, Fanzecco M, Martino D. Are Cognitive Symptoms Part of the Phenotypic Spectrum of Idiopathic Adult-Onset Dystonia? Summary of Evidence from Controlled Studies. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2024; 11:329-334. [PMID: 38314659 PMCID: PMC10982590 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive dysfunction has been reported in idiopathic adult-onset dystonia (IAOD), but whether this is a primary or secondary component of the disorder remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE Here, we aimed to analyze the key domains of abnormal cognitive performance in IAOD and whether this is associated with motor or mood changes. METHODS Article selection for our critical review was guided by PRISMA guidelines (mesh terms "dystonia" and "cognitive," publication period: 2000-2022). Only peer-reviewed, English-language original case-control studies involving patients with IAOD who were not exposed to dopamine- or acetylcholine-modulating agents and validated cognitive assessments were included. RESULTS Abstract screening ultimately yielded 22 articles for full-text review and data extraction. A greater proportion of studies (17 of 22, 82%) reported abnormal cognitive performance in IAOD. Most of these studies focused on blepharospasm (BSP) and cervical dystonia (10 and 14, respectively). Most studies reporting cognitive impairment (11 of 17) identified multidomain impairment in cognition. Executive functions were the domain most frequently explored (14 of 22 studies), 79% of which detected worse performance in people with dystonia. Results related to other domains were inconclusive. Cognitive abnormalities were independent of motor symptoms in most studies (7 of 12) that explored this relationship and independent of mood status in all 8 that investigated this. CONCLUSIONS Within IAOD, cognitive dysfunction (in particular, executive dysfunction) has been documented mainly in BSP and cervical dystonia. More comprehensive testing is warranted to assess abnormalities in other domains and in other forms of IAOD, as well as to evaluate longitudinal progression of cognitive disturbances in this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Defazio
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Taurisano
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Michela Fanzecco
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Davide Martino
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Rafee S, Diepman M, McCormack D, Monaghan R, Fearon C, Hutchinson M, O'Keeffe F. A comprehensive cognitive analysis of cervical dystonia: A single centre study. Clin Park Relat Disord 2023; 9:100226. [PMID: 37881640 PMCID: PMC10594573 DOI: 10.1016/j.prdoa.2023.100226] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cervical dystonia (CD) presents as a motor disorder but has a number of non-motor features. Studies have demonstrated diverse changes in cognition in patients with CD. The rarity of this disorder, phenotypic heterogeneity, and, in particular, a lack of consistency in cognitive testing measures limits clear definition of cognitive changes in this disorder. The relationship between cognition, motor symptoms and quality of life has not been well defined. We undertook a comprehensive analysis of cognition in CD. Methods Patients with adult onset idiopathic isolated CD (AOICD) who had completed a battery of cognitive assessments- general intellectual functioning, verbal and visual memory, executive functions and social cognition measures, were included. Participants were assessed for mood symptoms, motor severity and quality of life. Results 13 patients (8 women) with AOICD were included covering 40 cognitive subtests. Mean age was 59.9 years and mean TWSTRS-2 severity was 11. Mean estimated premorbid function was in the normal range. Overall performance on most measures were within normal limits. The lowest mean z-score was observed in Florida Affect Battery (social cognition) subtests, z = -1.75 and -0.81. and in verbal recall, z = -0.82. The majority of patients (75%) scored below population mean on spatial working memory and (62%) performed below population mean on word retrieval and working memory. Conclusion We provide detailed cognitive results across a wide range of measures. Although patients tended towards average outcomes on the majority of tests, poorer performance than expected averages were noted in measures of social cognition, word retrieval, spatial working memory and, processing speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shameer Rafee
- Department of Neurology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Ireland
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Derval McCormack
- Department of Psychology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Ruth Monaghan
- Department of Psychology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Conor Fearon
- Department of Neurology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Ireland
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- Department of Neurology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Ireland
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Ireland
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Mahady L, White J, Rafee S, Yap SM, O'Riordan S, Hutchinson M, Gough P, O'Keeffe F. Social cognition in cervical dystonia. Clin Park Relat Disord 2023; 9:100217. [PMID: 37711968 PMCID: PMC10497798 DOI: 10.1016/j.prdoa.2023.100217] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Whilst traditionally considered a movement disorder, it is now generally accepted that cervical dystonia (CD) presents with additional non-motor symptoms which significantly impact quality of life. Our study primarily aimed to explore social cognition and levels of psychological distress in individuals with CD, in comparison to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Methods 20 participants with CD attending a specialist movement disorders clinic were recruited. 20 age and sex matched neurologically healthy controls were recruited in parallel. Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and two novel social cognition tasks: The Cambridge Mindreading Face-Voice Battery (CAFMB) and the Edinburgh Social Cognition Test (ESCoT). Results Participants with CD exhibited poorer complex emotion recognition abilities for visual and auditory stimuli, compared to controls on the CAFMB task. Participants with CD did not differ significantly from controls on performance on cognitive or affective Theory of Mind tasks, or interpersonal or intrapersonal understanding of social norms, as measured by the ESCoT. The proportion of depressive symptoms was significantly higher for participants with CD than controls. 40% of participants with CD reported clinically elevated depressive symptoms, and 60% reported clinically elevated anxiety. Poorer understanding of emotional facial expressions was associated with higher levels of depression in the CD group. Conclusions Significant between-group differences between participants with CD and controls suggests socio-cognitive dysfunction is an important aspect of the non-motor syndrome of CD. Findings highlight the need for assessment of and intervention for both social cognitive difficulties and psychological distress in individuals with CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mahady
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jessica White
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Shameer Rafee
- Department of Neurology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Siew-Mei Yap
- Department of Neurology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sean O'Riordan
- Department of Neurology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- Department of Neurology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Patricia Gough
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Fiadhnait O'Keeffe
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Department of Neurology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
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