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Updated: May 27, 2025
Whole-brain Segmentation and Change-point Analysis of Anatomical Brain MRI—Application in Premanifest Huntington's Disease
Published on: June 9, 2018
Social cognition profile in early Huntington disease: Insight from neuropsychological assessment and structural
Marie Caillaud1,2,3, Mickael Laisney2, Alexandre Bejanin2,4
1Univ Angers, Nantes Université, [CHU Angers], LPPL, SFR CONFLUENCES, Angers, France.
Background:
Huntington's disease (HD) is traditionally associated with motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Recent observations suggest that disturbances in social cognition may feature prominently in HD, potentially contributing to behavioral challenges.
Objective:
This study aims to explore the onset and neural mechanisms underlying social cognition disturbances in HD, which are not yet well understood despite increasing recognition of these symptoms.
Methods:
This study compared 20 individuals in the early stages of HD with 20 healthy controls across a range of cognitive tests, in-depth social cognition assessments, and structural MRI evaluations.
Results:
The findings revealed alterations in various aspects of social cognition, particularly cognitive and affective Theory of Mind, in the early HD group. Some of these alterations correlated with the neurodegeneration of the striatum (caudate), suggesting that social cognition deficits may serve as early indicators of disease progression.
Conclusions:
This research underscores the importance of integrating social cognition evaluations into the clinical assessment of HD and hints at a complex interplay between these deficits and the broader neuropsychological impact of the disease. The results thus advocate for a more holistic approach to understanding and managing HD, considering the potential interdependencies between social cognition and other cognitive functions.
