Abstract
Theory of mind deficit is a core feature of schizophrenia and is considered a vulnerability marker of the disorder. The majority of studies measuring theory of mind in schizophrenia involve multiple-episode or chronic schizophrenia patients, and therefore it is important to delineate whether these deficits occur before or following illness-onset by assessing high-risk subjects (clinical high risk and ultra-high risk), early-onset psychosis, and first-degree relatives. We address the question of whether theory of mind impairment is specific or a facet of general cognitive impairment in these clinical populations, and incorporate genetic and neuroimaging studies on the theory of mind. The review provides a succinct evaluation of the literature, discusses current limitations and proposes future directions.
Keywords: Theory of mind, adolescence, neuroimaging, social cognition, unaffected relatives, high risk, endophenotype, mentalising.
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