Reduced coherence between autonomic activity and facial expression in those at risk for psychosis

What is it about?

People with schizophrenia tend to show fewer and less intense facial expressions of emotion, which is interpreted as reflecting weaker relationships between physiology (e.g., increased heart rate), experience (e.g., the subjective feeling of fear), and behavioral responses to emotion (e.g., a fearful facial expression). This paper examines whether these weaker relationships are also earlier pathogenic mechanisms involved in psychosis by studying individuals meeting criteria for a high-risk syndrome.

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Photo by Alexas_Fotos on Unsplash

Photo by Alexas_Fotos on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Our understanding and treatment of symptoms like changes in emotion (known as negative symptoms) in schizophrenia are limited. Our findings suggest that changes in the relationship between physiology and expression might partially underlie these symptoms, which may aid in improving our understanding and treatment of these symptoms.