Abnormalities of brain function during a nonverbal theory of mind task in XXXX .

@entity1 @entity2507 @entity161 @entity74
Theory of mind (ToM), the specific ability to attribute thoughts and feelings to oneself and others is generally impaired in @entity161 . Previous studies demonstrated a deficit of the attribution of intentions to others among @entity1 having @entity74 . During nonverbal tasks, such a function requires both the visual perception of @entity1 figures and the understanding of their intentions. These processes are considered to involve the superior temporal sulcus and the medial prefrontal cortex, respectively. Are the functional patterns of activation associated with those processes abnormal in @entity161 ? Seven @entity161 @entity1 on medication performed a nonverbal attribution of intentions task as well as two matched physical logic tasks, with and without @entity1 figures, while @entity2507 15 PET-scanning was performed. Data from the @entity1 were compared to those of eight healthy controls matched for verbal IQ and sex. The experimental design allowed dissociating the effect of the perception of @entity1 figures from that of the attribution of intentions. During attribution of intentions, significant activations in the right prefrontal cortex were detected in the control subjects. Those activations were not found in the @entity161 group. However, in both groups, the perception of @entity1 figure elicited bilateral activation of the occipitotemporal regions and of the posterior part of the superior temporal sulcus. @entity161 @entity1 performing a nonverbal attribution of intentions task have an abnormal cerebral activity.
