Furlong LS, Rossell SL, Caruana GF, Cropley VL, Hughes M, Van Rheenen TE. The activity and connectivity of the facial emotion processing neural circuitry in bipolar disorder: a systematic review.
J Affect Disord 2021;
279:518-548. [PMID:
33142156 DOI:
10.1016/j.jad.2020.10.038]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Facial emotion processing abnormalities may be a trait feature of bipolar disorder (BD). These social cognitive impairments may be due to alterations in the neural processing of facial affective information in visual ("core"), and limbic and prefrontal ("extended") networks, however, the precise neurobiological mechanism(s) underlying these symptoms are unclear.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review to appraise the literature on the activity and connectivity of the facial emotion processing neural circuitry in BD. Two reviewers undertook a search of the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus and PsycINFO, to identify relevant literature published since inception up until September 2019. Study eligibility criteria included; BD participants, neuroimaging, and facial emotion processing tasks.
RESULTS
Out of an initial yield of 6121 articles, 66 were eligible for inclusion in this review. We identified differences in neural activity and connectivity within and between occipitotemporal, limbic, and prefrontal regions, in response to facial affective stimuli, in BD compared to healthy controls.
LIMITATIONS
The methodologies used across studies varied considerably.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings from this review suggest abnormalities in both the activity and connectivity of facial emotion processing neural circuitry in BD. It is recommended that future research aims to further define the connectivity and spatiotemporal course of neural events within and between occipitotemporal, limbic, and prefrontal regions.
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