Social Cognition in Epilepsy

Abstract

Purpose: we aims to evaluate as social cognition can be impaired in Frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) and Generalized Idiophatic epilepsy (IGE) We evaluate Theory of mind (ToM), as the ability to understand and predict behaviors, intentions and emotions of others, cognitive flexibility the decision-making and its impact on the quality of life Methods: this is a case-control study of adults patiens with (FLE) and (IGE), whith IQ > 85 and without relevant comorbility. Subjects completed a questionnaire about quality of life (QOLIE-31) and ToM task: Faux-Pas, Eyes-Test, understanding of false beliefs, Happe stories, Facial emotion recognition, Iowa-Gambling-Task and Wisconsin-Card-Sorting- Test Results: we study 100 subjects (30 FLE, 20 IGE and 50 controls). Average age:38 (+/-12) [18-65] years old. FLE patiens showed lower performance in ToM than IGE and controls. (Faux-Pas, Eyes-test, Wisconsinperseverations: p < 0.001; understanding of false beliefs, Happe stories: p < 0.001; Facial emotion recognition: p = 0.003) We observed a tendency in the concern about the disease and the social cognition as factors of bigger negative impact on the quality of life of FLE as compared with IGE). Women with FLE showed lower performance in the emotional state than IGE (p = 0.02) And men concerns about future seizures and driving were the two limitating factors in FLE compared to IGE Conclusion: FLE patients have higher impairment in ToM and less cognition flexibility the IGE. Concerns about the disease and the social cognition are the most negative impact factors on the quality of life.