Julia Berneiser1, Julia Wendt2, Matthias Grothe1, Christof Kessler1, Alfons O Hamm2, Alexander Dressel3. 1. Department of Neurology, University of Greifswald, Sauerbruchstrasse, 17475 Greifswald, Germany. 2. Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology, University of Greifswald, Germany. 3. Department of Neurology, University of Greifswald, Sauerbruchstrasse, 17475 Greifswald, Germany. Electronic address: adressel@uni-greifswald.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Disturbances that occur in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are not restricted to motor, sensory, or urinary functions; they also include cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, and depression. Moreover, people with MS are known to have fewer social activities and a reduced quality of life. One aspect of social interaction is accurate recognition of facial expressions. Several studies have suggested impairment in the processing of facial expressions in patients with multiple sclerosis, but it is not clear if these deficits are based on cognitive, depressive, or other attendant symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To investigate emotion recognition and facial identity recognition abilities and their relation with cognitive functions, depression, and fatigue in a cohort of MS patients. METHODS: Emotion recognition and facial identity recognition abilities were investigated in a cohort of 61 MS patients with unimpaired visual acuity and 53 healthy controls using the Florida Affect Battery. Additionally, we investigated possible relationships between impaired facial expression recognition and other clinical features. RESULTS: MS patients were not impaired in facial identity discrimination, but showed a poor performance in all subtests that required emotion recognition. CONCLUSION: Impaired recognition of facial emotions by patients with MS seems to be associated with both cognitive and affective (depression) aspects of the disease.
BACKGROUND: Disturbances that occur in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are not restricted to motor, sensory, or urinary functions; they also include cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, and depression. Moreover, people with MS are known to have fewer social activities and a reduced quality of life. One aspect of social interaction is accurate recognition of facial expressions. Several studies have suggested impairment in the processing of facial expressions in patients with multiple sclerosis, but it is not clear if these deficits are based on cognitive, depressive, or other attendant symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To investigate emotion recognition and facial identity recognition abilities and their relation with cognitive functions, depression, and fatigue in a cohort of MSpatients. METHODS: Emotion recognition and facial identity recognition abilities were investigated in a cohort of 61 MSpatients with unimpaired visual acuity and 53 healthy controls using the Florida Affect Battery. Additionally, we investigated possible relationships between impaired facial expression recognition and other clinical features. RESULTS:MSpatients were not impaired in facial identity discrimination, but showed a poor performance in all subtests that required emotion recognition. CONCLUSION: Impaired recognition of facial emotions by patients with MS seems to be associated with both cognitive and affective (depression) aspects of the disease.
Authors: Jack Cotter; Joseph Firth; Christian Enzinger; Evangelos Kontopantelis; Alison R Yung; Rebecca Elliott; Richard J Drake Journal: Neurology Date: 2016-09-21 Impact factor: 9.910