Evidence map›Paper›PMID 24371798›Full record

ArticleNeuroImage. Clinical2014

The neural basis of theory of mind and its relationship to social functioning and social anhedonia in individuals with schizophrenia.

David Dodell-Feder, Laura M Tully, Sarah Hope Lincoln, Christine I Hooker

Open access · goldAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in NeuroImage. Clinical, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 55 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
55citing papers in PubMed, 4 pooled it
5.4field-weighted citation impact, top 3% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

55 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 121 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
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  7. Enhancement of aerobic fitness improves social functioning in individuals with schizophrenia.European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience · 2021
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  8. Neural and behavioral effects of oxytocin administration during theory of mind in schizophrenia and controls: a randomized control trial.Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2019
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  12. Loneliness and self-concept in the relations between Theory of Mind and social anhedonia in adolescents.Journal of research on adolescence : the official journal of the Society for Research on Adolescence · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

David Dodell-FederDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Laura M TullyDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Sarah Hope LincolnDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Christine I HookerDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Harvard University · US

Funding

Advanced Multimodal Neuroimaging Training GrantR90DA023427 · NIDA · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI ROSEN, BRUCE R · 2006 to 2015
$2.8M
Advanced Multimodal Neuroimaging Training GrantT90DA022759 · NIDA · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI ROSEN, BRUCE R · 2006 to 2015
$1.4M
NIDA NIH HHS R90 DA023427NIDA NIH HHS R90DA023427NIDA NIH HHS T90 DA022759NIDA NIH HHS T90DA022759
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Theory of mind (ToM), the ability to attribute and reason about the mental states of others, is a strong determinant of social functioning among individuals with schizophrenia. Identifying the neural bases of ToM and their relationship to social functioning may elucidate functionally relevant neurobiological targets for intervention. ToM ability may additionally account for other social phenomena that affect social functioning, such as social anhedonia (SocAnh). Given recent research in schizophrenia demonstrating improved neural functioning in response to increased use of cognitive skills, it is possible that SocAnh, which decreases one's opportunity to engage in ToM, could compromise social functioning through its deleterious effect on ToM-related neural circuitry. Here, twenty individuals with schizophrenia and 18 healthy controls underwent fMRI while performing the False-Belief Task. Aspects of social functioning were assessed using multiple methods including self-report (Interpersonal Reactivity Index, Social Adjustment Scale), clinician-ratings (Global Functioning Social Scale), and performance-based tasks (MSCEIT-Managing Emotions). SocAnh was measured with the Revised Social Anhedonia Scale. Region-of-interest and whole-brain analyses revealed reduced recruitment of medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) for ToM in individuals with schizophrenia. Across all participants, activity in this region correlated with most social variables. Mediation analysis revealed that neural activity for ToM in MPFC accounted for the relationship between SocAnh and social functioning. These findings demonstrate that reduced recruitment of MPFC for ToM is an important neurobiological determinant of social functioning. Furthermore, SocAhn may affect social functioning through its impact on ToM-related neural circuitry. Together, these findings suggest ToM ability as an important locus for intervention.

Indexed as

Schizophrenic PsychologySocial PerceptionAdultAnhedoniaBrainCase-Control StudiesCognition DisordersFemaleHumansImage Processing, Computer-AssistedMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMiddle AgedOxygenPsychiatric Status Rating ScalesSchizophreniaOxygenfMRISchizophreniaSocial anhedoniaSocial functioningTheory of mind

Identifiers

PMID24371798
PMCPMC3871293
OpenAlexW2117675453

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.