Brain structure variation and individual differences in theory of mind among older adults

Abstract

The theory of mind (ToM) is not substantially influenced by aging, suggesting the emergence of various compensatory mechanisms. To identify brain regions subserving ToM in older adults, we investigated the associations of individual differences in brain structure with performance on the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), a widely used measure of ToM, using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). In contrast to findings obtained from young adults, where multiple cortical regions are implicated in ToM, VBM analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between RMET score and gray matter (GM) volume only in the right middle temporal gyrus, a region implicated in social cognition. Alternatively, TBSS revealed significant positive correlations between RMET score and the fractional anisotropy (FA) values in widespread white matter (WM) tracts, including the bilateral uncinate fasciculus, a region previously linked to RMET performance in young adults. We speculate that individual differences in WM integrity are strong influences on ToM among older adults, whereas the impact of individual differences in GM volumes is relatively limited.

Keywords

• Theory of mind
• Voxel-based morphometry
• Tract-based spatial statistics
• Aging
• Structure–function relation