Alterations in neural Theory of Mind processing in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and unaffected relatives

• DOI: 10.1111/bdi.12352
• Publication Date: 2015-12-15T12:04:54Z
• Authors: Anna Willert; Sebastian Mohnke; Susanne Erk; Knut Schnell; Nina Romanczuk‐Se...; Esther Quinlivan; Stefanie Schreiter; Stephanie Spengler; Dorrit Herold; Carolin Wackerhagen; Lydia Romund; Maria Garbusow; Tristram Lett; Thomas Stamm; Mazda Adli; Andreas Heinz; Felix Bermpohl; Henrik Walter
• Keywords: Temporoparietal junction; First-degree relatives; Bipolar I disorder

Objectives Behavioral deficits in the Theory of Mind (ToM) have been robustly demonstrated bipolar disorder. These may represent an intermediate phenotype disease. The aim this study was: (i) to investigate alterations neural ToM processing euthymic patients with disorder, and (ii) examine whether similar effects are present unaffected relatives disorder suggesting that functional activation be, part, due genetic risk for Methods A total 24 21 first‐degree relatives, 81 healthy controls completed a task while undergoing magnetic resonance imaging. Results We observed reduced bilateral temporoparietal junction (TPJ) diminished fronto‐temporoparietal connectivity compared controls. Relatives tended towards activity coupling medial prefrontal areas. There was also evidence potentially compensatory enhanced recruitment right middle temporal gyrus stronger between region cortex relatives. Conclusions findings provide further altered Further, our lend support idea act as