Theory of mind and empathy in patients at an early stage of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: Early after having been diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), young patients coping with the new situation require good social support and interactions. Successful social interaction is critically dependent upon the ability to understand the minds of others and their feelings. Social cognition refers to the ability to understand the mind of others.

Perception of affective prosody in patients at an early stage of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Cognitive dysfunction is well known in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) and has been described for many years. Cognitive impairment, memory, and attention deficits seem to be features of advanced MS stages, whereas depression and emotional instability already occur in early stages of the disease. However, little is known about processing of affective prosody in patients in early stages of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

The effects of acute tryptophan depletion on reactive aggression in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and healthy controls.

Background: The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) has been linked to the underlying neurobiology of aggressive behavior, particularly with evidence from studies in animals and humans. However, the underlying neurobiology of aggression remains unclear in the context of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a disorder known to be associated with aggression and impulsivity. We investigated the effects of acute tryptophan depletion (ATD), and the resulting diminished central nervous serotonergic neurotransmission, on reactive aggression in healthy controls and adults with ADHD.

Methylphenidate-induced psychosis in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: report of 3 new cases and review of the literature.

Objective: We present 3 new cases of psychotic symptoms in patients with adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder while regularly treated with a stimulant therapy with methylphenidate.

Methods: Existing literature about this theme is reviewed, and potential mechanisms are discussed.

Results And Conclusions: Medication with methylphenidate should be avoided in patients with vulnerability to schizophrenia and in drug addiction, but reported cases without these risk factors demonstrate that a careful and regular psychiatric monitoring is essential in all patients treated with methylphenidate.

Perception of affective prosody in major depression: a link to executive functions?

Major depression is associated with impairments of executive functions and affect perception deficits, both being linked to dysfunction of fronto-subcortical networks. So far, little is known about the relationship between cognitive and affective deficits in major depression. In the present investigation, affect perception and executive functions were assessed in 29 patients with a diagnosis of major depression (Dep) and 29 healthy controls (HC).

Social cognition in alcoholism: a link to prefrontal cortex dysfunction?

Aims: Alcoholism is associated with a range of cognitive deficits. These deficits might be explained by the 'frontal lobe hypothesis' which suggests a specific vulnerability of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to the neurotoxic effects of alcohol. Social cognition is thought to be processed in the PFC, but so far only few studies have addressed the issue of social cognition deficits in alcoholism.

Proverb interpretation changes in aging.

Recent investigations have emphasized the involvement of fronto-subcortical networks to proverb comprehension. Although the prefrontal cortex is thought to be affected by normal aging, relatively little work has been carried out to investigate potential effects of aging on proverb comprehension. In the present investigation participants in three age groups were assessed on a proverb comprehension task and a range of executive function tasks.

Humor processing, mentalizing, and executive function in normal aging.

Recent investigations have emphasized the importance of the prefrontal cortex for humor processing. Although the prefrontal cortex is thought to be affected by normal aging, relatively little work has been carried out to investigate the effects of aging on humor processing. In the present investigation participants in three age groups were assessed on a humor comprehension task.

Neuropsychological deficits after mechanical aortic valve replacement.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Studies using transcranial Doppler monitoring have identified high-intensity transient signals (HITS) after mechanical valve replacement. Although cognitive dysfunction in relation to HITS was reported in some studies, the current data basis is inconsistent. The study aim was to investigate the long-term effects of HITS on cognitive function.

Processing of affective stimuli in alcoholism.

Investigations of neuropsychological functioning in alcoholism have revealed executive and memory deficits which have been interpreted in the light of the "frontal lobe hypothesis" which asserts that the frontal lobes are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of alcohol. Inspite of the known involvement of the orbitofrontal cortex in the processing of affective stimuli, only few studies concerning affective processing in alcoholism have been conducted so far. Alcoholics and healthy controls were compared by using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery which included the measurement of facial affect as well as affective prosody perception.