Cognition and Social Cognition in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in an Argentinean-Cohort. Preliminary data (P6.244)

Objective: To show a cognitive ALS pattern with principal focus on social cognition. Background: Cognitive impairment and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a described association but still remains undefined as a clear clinical syndrome. Due to the close relationship (clinic and genetical) with frontotemporal lobar degeneration, the social cognition involvement could be a significant nonmotor feature of this disease. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 23 patients recently diagnosed (less than a year) with probable or definite sporadic-ALS, neurological and neurocognitive assessment, applying a specific developed battery, measuring language, executive functions, attention, memory, visuoespaciles capabilities, behavior and depression, in addition Theory of Mind (ToM) and decision Making (TDD) test: Faux Pas, Reversal Learning and Reading the Mind in the Eyes (RME). Also 21 healthy controls matched by age, sex and education were evaluated. Genetic analysis for expansion in C9orf72 gene was made. Results: 15 men, 11 women, average age 59, average education 13years. Comparing mean values with controls, significant statistical differences were observed in behavior: Depression Scale (p=0,003) and Neuropsychiatric Inventory(NPI-Q) 4,8 (p=0,0000), semantic and phonological fluency (p=0,000/p=0,025); Trail-MakingTest (TMT) part-B (p=0,0004). In the memory pattern shown differences in recall of a word list (p=0,0032) and delay-recall (p=0,0043) with preserved recognition. Social Cognition Test: “identification of misstep” in Faux Pas (p=0023), “Recognizing the correct expression” in RME Test (p=0,027), and total result Reversal Learning Test (p=0,044) were found. There was found a significant correlation between language, executive functions and ToM. None C9orf72 disorders were identified. Conclusions: ALS patients have shown a clear impairment in language and executive functions, as reported previously in literature, findings in social cognition not only are present in ALS but correlates with failure in neurocognitive test, as in FTD patients. Disclosure: Dr. Nahas has nothing to disclose. Dr. de Ambrosi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Calandri has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tapajoz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zanuzo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nogues has nothing to disclose. Dr. Allegri has nothing to disclose.