Exploring the Relationship Between Social Cognition Deficits and Neurodegenerative Dementia: Protocol for a Systematic Review

Abstract Background:Due to demographic evolution and the progressive aging of the population, the incidence of dementia has increased worldwide. Many questions about this syndrome have not been resolved yet, such as the relationship between dementia and deficits on social cognition.Therefore, the present review aims to explore this relationship and to establish the possible differential patterns of social cognition deficits in diverse types of neurodegenerative dementias.Methods:The literature searchwas conducted in several electronic databases, including MEDLINE database via Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Lilacs, Web of Science (WoS) and PsycINFO.In order to avoid possible bias during the data extraction, all citations, abstracts information and full-text articles will be independently screen by two reviewers. Themethodological quality of thestudies will be appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Evaluation Checklists. All studies published in English or Spanish between October 2009 and October 2019 will be taken into account.Discussion: This systematic review will summarize the evidence provided during the last 10 years regarding the relationship between neurodegenerative dementia and social cognition deficits. This could provide a useful reference to clinicians, since properly defining social cognition profile of each type of neurodegenerative dementia would improve detection and diagnosis, which would undoubtedly guarantee better interventions.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, ID: 152562