Dopamine Disruption Impairs Mentalizing Abilities

BRAINS MATTER –

July 22, 2024 – “The main implication of our work is that in disorders with dopamine dysfunctions, in addition to producing the primary symptoms associated with these disorders (such as motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease), the dopamine imbalance also affects individuals’ socio-cognitive abilities,” added Schuster. “This work could have implications for the way in which we treat Parkinson’s in the future,

A recent study has uncovered a significant link between the brain chemical dopamine and our ability to understand and attribute mental states to ourselves and others, a process known as mentalizing. Conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham, the study demonstrates that altering dopamine levels in the brain affects these mentalizing abilities. These findings are detailed in the journal PLOS Biology.

The study was motivated by the observation that people with disorders characterized by dopamine dysfunction, such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, and schizophrenia, often struggle with mentalizing. This impairment can lead to severe social challenges, including social isolation and a decreased quality of life.