David Martin1, Jazz Croft2, Alice Pitt3, Daniela Strelchuk2, Sarah Sullivan2, Stan Zammit4. 1. Centre for Academic Mental Health, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK. Electronic address: dave.martin@bristol.ac.uk. 2. Centre for Academic Mental Health, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK. 3. Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, UK. 4. Centre for Academic Mental Health, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK; MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent research has highlighted that facial emotion recognition deficits are more common in people with schizophrenia, but the reason for this association is not well understood. Comparing facial recognition deficits in unaffected individuals at higher genetic risk for schizophrenia with individuals at lower genetic risk could increase our understanding of this relationship. METHODS: We systematically reviewed studies reporting on the relationship between genetic risk of schizophrenia and facial emotion recognition deficits. Meta-analyses were performed where sufficient data were available, otherwise we conducted narrative summaries. Meta-analyses were performed both for generalised and specific facial emotion recognition deficits. RESULTS: 34 studies were included in this review with 23 included in meta-analyses. Meta-analysis indicated strong evidence of a deficit in facial emotion recognition in first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia compared with controls (SMD 0.38 95% CI 0.26 to 0.51, p ≤ 0.001). Further meta-analyses demonstrated strong evidence of a deficit in the recognition of negative valence facial expressions (SMD 0.19 CI 0.06 to 0.32, p = 0.004) but no evidence of deficit in the recognition of neutral or positive valance. CONCLUSIONS: There is strong evidence of facial emotion recognition deficits in first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia. Our findings suggest that such deficits in people with schizophrenia arise prior to the onset of the disorder, though cannot inform whether that association is causal or due to confounding. Emotion recognition deficits, particularly to negative emotions, might be useful predictors of schizophrenia risk. Crown
BACKGROUND: Recent research has highlighted that facial emotion recognition deficits are more common in people with schizophrenia, but the reason for this association is not well understood. Comparing facial recognition deficits in unaffected individuals at higher genetic risk for schizophrenia with individuals at lower genetic risk could increase our understanding of this relationship. METHODS: We systematically reviewed studies reporting on the relationship between genetic risk of schizophrenia and facial emotion recognition deficits. Meta-analyses were performed where sufficient data were available, otherwise we conducted narrative summaries. Meta-analyses were performed both for generalised and specific facial emotion recognition deficits. RESULTS: 34 studies were included in this review with 23 included in meta-analyses. Meta-analysis indicated strong evidence of a deficit in facial emotion recognition in first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia compared with controls (SMD 0.38 95% CI 0.26 to 0.51, p ≤ 0.001). Further meta-analyses demonstrated strong evidence of a deficit in the recognition of negative valence facial expressions (SMD 0.19 CI 0.06 to 0.32, p = 0.004) but no evidence of deficit in the recognition of neutral or positive valance. CONCLUSIONS: There is strong evidence of facial emotion recognition deficits in first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia. Our findings suggest that such deficits in people with schizophrenia arise prior to the onset of the disorder, though cannot inform whether that association is causal or due to confounding. Emotion recognition deficits, particularly to negative emotions, might be useful predictors of schizophrenia risk. Crown
Authors: Giada Tripoli; Diego Quattrone; Laura Ferraro; Charlotte Gayer-Anderson; Caterina La Cascia; Daniele La Barbera; Crocettarachele Sartorio; Fabio Seminerio; Victoria Rodriguez; Ilaria Tarricone; Domenico Berardi; Stéphane Jamain; Celso Arango; Andrea Tortelli; Pierre-Michel Llorca; Lieuwe de Haan; Eva Velthorst; Julio Bobes; Miquel Bernardo; Julio Sanjuán; Jose Luis Santos; Manuel Arrojo; Cristina Marta Del-Ben; Paulo Rossi Menezes; Els van der Ven; Peter B Jones; Hannah E Jongsma; James B Kirkbride; Sarah Tosato; Antonio Lasalvia; Alex Richards; Michael O'Donovan; Bart P F Rutten; Jim van Os; Craig Morgan; Pak C Sham; Marta Di Forti; Robin M Murray; Graham K Murray Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2022-09-01 Impact factor: 7.348