Alterations in facial expressions in individuals at risk for psychosis: a facial electromyography approach using emotionally evocative film clips

Tina Gupta*, K. Juston Osborne, Ajay Nadig, Claudia M. Haase, Vijay A. Mittal

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Negative symptoms such as blunted facial expressivity are characteristic of schizophrenia. However, it is not well-understood if and what abnormalities are present in individuals at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis. Methods. This experimental study employed facial electromyography (left zygomaticus major and left corrugator supercilia) in a sample of CHR individuals (N = 34) and healthy controls (N = 32) to detect alterations in facial expressions in response to emotionally evocative film clips and to determine links with symptoms. Results. Findings revealed that the CHR group showed facial blunting manifested in reduced zygomatic activity in response to an excitement (but not amusement, fear, or sadness) film clip compared to controls. Reductions in zygomatic activity in the CHR group emerged in response to the emotionally evocative peak period of the excitement film clip. Lower zygomaticus activity during the excitement clip was related to anxiety while lower rates of change in zygomatic activity during the excitement video clip were related to higher psychosis risk conversion scores. Conclusions. Together, these findings inform vulnerability/disease driving mechanisms and biomarker and treatment development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5829-5838
Number of pages10
JournalPsychological Medicine
Volume53
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 26 2023

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health Grants R01MH094650, R21MH110374 to V.A.M, R21MH115231 to C.M.H. and V.A.M., NARSAD Young Investigator Grant from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation to C.M.H, and T32MH018269 to T.G. The aims of the study are original and new. No authors have any potential conflicts of interest.

Keywords

  • Clinical high-risk
  • electromyography
  • evocative film clips
  • facial expressions
  • negative symptoms
  • schizophrenia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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