Multiple sclerosis, emotions and social cognition

Abstract

A. Tourbah*, N. Ehrle, N. Henry, S. Bakchine, M.P. Chaunu,M. MontreuilCHRU de Reims, service de neurologie, hopital Maison-Blanche, 45, rueCognacq Jay, URCA LPN UE 2027, Paris VIII, 51092 Reims, France*Corresponding author.E-mail address: atourbah@chu-reims.frKeywords: Multiple sclerosis; Alexithymia; Theory of mind; Emotion;CognitionEmotional processes are governed by the areas and neural systems that can beexplored MRI (amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate cortex, insula). It isnowpossibletoexplorebyMRI,usingtechniquesbasedonfunctionalMRIanddiffusion tensor including (anatomical and functional connectivity).These processes seem disturbed in MS. Indeed, the motor and neurosensorydisabilityisassociatedwithcognitivedisorders,mooddisorders,andemotionaland socio-cognitive deficit.Emotions play a critical role in the organization of social processes in differentareas of cognition (memory, attention decision). Besides alexithymia (difficultyverbalizing emotional experiences, fantasy poverty), social cognition is the skillsetthatallows ustointerpret and predictthebehaviorofothers.Their disruptioninvolvedinthesepatientswithbehavioralproblemsandsocialadjustment.Toolstoexplorethesedisturbances,includingthestudyoffacialexpressions(perceptionof primary emotions), and theory of mind (attribution of thoughts to others).Their management is insufficient. The detection and treatment of emotionaldisorders (in addition to cognitive impairment, fatigue and mood disorders) isdesirable for these patients to maintain social and family life, and improvequality of life. It has not been shown that treatments, currently used in MS, areeffective in this area. The establishment of workshops rehabilitation would beuseful.Further readingBanati M, Sandor, J., Mike, A., Illes, E., Bors, L., Feldmann, A., Herold, R. &Illes Z. (2009). Social cognition and Theory of Mind in patients withrelapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. European Journal of Neurology, 17(3),426-433.Henry A, Tourbah A, Chaunu MP, Rumbach L,Montreuil M, Bakchine S.Social Cognition Impairments in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. J IntNeuropsychol Soc (2011), 17, 1122-1131.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rehab.2013.07.906CO04-002-e