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Bani M, Russo S, Ardenghi S, Rampoldi G, Wickline V, Nowicki S, Strepparava MG. Behind the mask: What the eyes can't tell: Facial emotion recognition in a sample of Italian health care students. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2024; 77:1430-1442. [PMID: 37599379 DOI: 10.1177/17470218231198145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Wearing a facemask remains a pivotal strategy to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection even after vaccination, but one of the possible costs of this protection is that it may interfere with the ability to read emotion in facial expressions. We explored the extent to which it may be more difficult for participants to read emotions in faces when faces are covered with masks than when they are not, and whether participants' empathy, attachment style, and patient-centred orientation would affect their performance. Medical and nursing students (N = 429) were administered either a masked or unmasked set of 24 adult faces depicting anger, sadness, fear, or happiness. Participants also completed self-report measures of empathy, patient-centredness, and attachment style. As predicted, participants made more errors to the masked than the unmasked faces with the exception of the identification of fear. Of note, when participants missed happiness, they were most likely to see it as sadness, and when they missed anger, they were most likely to see it as happiness. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that more errors identifying emotions in faces was associated with faces being masked as opposed to unmasked, lower scores on the empathy fantasy scale, and higher scores on the fearful attachment style. The findings suggest that wearing facemasks is associated with a variety of negative outcomes that might interfere with the building of positive relationships between health care workers and patients. Those who teach student health care workers would benefit from bringing this finding into their curriculum and training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano - Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Selena Russo
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano - Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Ardenghi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano - Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Giulia Rampoldi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano - Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Virginia Wickline
- Department of Psychology, Georgia Southern University, Savannah, GA, USA
| | - Stephen Nowicki
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maria Grazia Strepparava
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano - Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
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Li Y, Du W, Liu R, Zan G, Ye B, Li Q, Sheng Z, Yuan Y, Song Y, Liu J, Liu Z. Paraventricular nucleus-central amygdala oxytocinergic projection modulates pain-related anxiety-like behaviors in mice. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:3493-3506. [PMID: 37248645 PMCID: PMC10580334 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Anxiety disorders associated with pain are a common health problem. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the role of paraventricular nucleus (PVN)-central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) oxytocinergic projections in anxiety-like behaviors induced by inflammatory pain. METHODS After inflammatory pain induction by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), mice underwent elevated plus maze, light-dark transition test, and marble burying test to examine the anxiety-like behaviors. Chemogenetic, optogenetic, and fiber photometry recordings were used to modulate and record the activity of the oxytocinergic projections of the PVN-CeA. RESULTS The key results are as follows: inflammatory pain-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice accompanied by decreased activity of PVN oxytocin neurons. Chemogenetic activation of PVN oxytocin neurons prevented pain-related anxiety-like behaviors, whereas inhibition of PVN oxytocin neurons induced anxiety-like behaviors in naïve mice. PVN oxytocin neurons projected directly to the CeA, and microinjection of oxytocin into the CeA blocked anxiety-like behaviors. Inflammatory pain also decreased the activity of CeA neurons, and optogenetic activation of PVNoxytocin -CeA circuit prevented anxiety-like behavior in response to inflammatory pain. CONCLUSION The results of our study suggest that oxytocin has anti-anxiety effects and provide novel insights into the role of PVNoxytocin -CeA projections in the regulation of anxiety-like behaviors induced by inflammatory pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu‐Jie Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wei‐Jia Du
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Rui Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Gui‐Ying Zan
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia MedicaChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Bing‐Lu Ye
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Qian Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhi‐Hao Sheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ya‐Wei Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yu‐Jie Song
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jing‐Gen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia MedicaChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Zhi‐Qiang Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
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A double-edged hormone: The moderating role of personality and attachment on oxytocin's treatment facilitation effect. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 151:106074. [PMID: 36905736 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies exploring the potential augmenting effect of oxytocin for patients with mental disorders have thus far reported mixed effects. However, oxytocin's effect may differ across patients with different interpersonal characteristics. This study aimed to examine the moderating role of attachment and personality traits on the effect of oxytocin administration on the therapeutic working alliance and symptomatic change, among hospitalized patients with severe mental illness. METHODS Patients (N = 87) were randomly assigned to receive oxytocin or placebo, as an add-on to psychotherapy for a period of four weeks, in two inpatient units. Therapeutic alliance and symptomatic change were measured weekly, and personality and attachment were assessed at pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS Oxytocin administration was significantly associated with improvement of depression (B=2.12, SE=0.82, t = 2.56, p = .012), and suicidal ideation (B=0.03, SE=0.01, t = 2.44, p = .016) for patients low in openness and extraversion, respectively. Nonetheless, oxytocin administration was also significantly associated with a deterioration in the working alliance for patients high in extraversion (B=-0.11, SE=0.04, t = -2.73, p = .007), low in neuroticism (B=0.08, SE=0.03, t = 2.01, p = .047) and low in agreeableness (B=0.11, SE=0.04, t = 2.76, p = .007). CONCLUSIONS Oxytocin may act as a double-edged sword when it comes to its effect on treatment process and outcome. Future studies should focus on routes to characterize patients who might benefit the most from such augmentation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Pre-registration in clinicaltrials.com: NCT03566069; Israel Ministry of Health: MOH_2017-12-05_002003.
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Boyle A, Johnson A, Ellenbogen M. Intranasal oxytocin alters attention to emotional facial expressions, particularly for males and those with depressive symptoms. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 142:105796. [PMID: 35617742 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Intranasal oxytocin (OT) can enhance emotion recognition, perhaps by promoting increased attention to social cues. Some studies indicate that individuals with difficulties processing social information, including those with psychopathology, show more pronounced effects in response to OT. As such, there is interest in the potential therapeutic use of OT in populations with deficits in social cognition. The present study examined the effects of intranasal OT on the processing of facial features and selective attention to emotional facial expressions, as well as whether individual differences in depressive symptom severity predict sensitivity to intranasal OT. In a double-blind placebo-controlled within-subject design, eye tracking was used to measure attention to facial features in an emotional expression appraisal task, and attention to emotional expressions in a free-viewing task with a quadrant of multiple faces. OT facilitated the processing of positive cues, enhancing the maintenance of attention to the mouth region of happy faces and to happy faces within a quadrant, with similar effect sizes, despite the latter effect not being statistically significant. Further, persons with depressive symptoms, and particularly males, were sensitive to OT's effects. For males only, OT, relative to placebo, increased attentional focus to the mouth region of all faces. Individuals with depressive symptoms showed less attentional focus on angry (males only) and sad facial expressions, and more attention to happy faces (particularly for males). Results indicate increased sensitivity to OT in males and persons at risk for depression, with OT administration promoting a positive bias in selective attention to social stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Boyle
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Canada.
| | - Aaron Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Canada.
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Wu Q, Xie Y, Liu X, Liu Y. Oxytocin Impairs the Recognition of Micro-Expressions of Surprise and Disgust. Front Psychol 2022; 13:947418. [PMID: 35846599 PMCID: PMC9277341 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.947418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As fleeting facial expressions which reveal the emotion that a person tries to conceal, micro-expressions have great application potentials for fields like security, national defense and medical treatment. However, the physiological basis for the recognition of these facial expressions is poorly understood. In the present research, we utilized a double-blind, placebo-controlled, mixed-model experimental design to investigate the effects of oxytocin on the recognition of micro-expressions in three behavioral studies. Specifically, in Studies 1 and 2, participants were asked to perform a laboratory-based standardized micro-expression recognition task after self-administration of a single dose of intranasal oxytocin (40 IU) or placebo (containing all ingredients except for the neuropeptide). In Study 3, we further examined the effects of oxytocin on the recognition of natural micro-expressions. The results showed that intranasal oxytocin decreased the recognition speed for standardized intense micro-expressions of surprise (Study 1) and decreased the recognition accuracy for standardized subtle micro-expressions of disgust (Study 2). The results of Study 3 further revealed that intranasal oxytocin administration significantly reduced the recognition accuracy for natural micro-expressions of surprise and disgust. The present research is the first to investigate the effects of oxytocin on micro-expression recognition. It suggests that the oxytocin mainly plays an inhibiting role in the recognition of micro-expressions and there are fundamental differences in the neurophysiological basis for the recognition of micro-expressions and macro-expressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wu
- Department of Psychology, School of Educational Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Cognition and Human Behavior Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Qi Wu,
| | - Yanni Xie
- Department of Psychology, School of Educational Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Cognition and Human Behavior Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xuanchen Liu
- Department of Psychology, School of Educational Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Cognition and Human Behavior Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yulong Liu
- School of Finance and Management, Changsha Social Work College, Changsha, China
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Bao G, Yan B, Tong L, Shu J, Wang L, Yang K, Zeng Y. Data Augmentation for EEG-Based Emotion Recognition Using Generative Adversarial Networks. Front Comput Neurosci 2021; 15:723843. [PMID: 34955797 PMCID: PMC8700963 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2021.723843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the greatest limitations in the field of EEG-based emotion recognition is the lack of training samples, which makes it difficult to establish effective models for emotion recognition. Inspired by the excellent achievements of generative models in image processing, we propose a data augmentation model named VAE-D2GAN for EEG-based emotion recognition using a generative adversarial network. EEG features representing different emotions are extracted as topological maps of differential entropy (DE) under five classical frequency bands. The proposed model is designed to learn the distributions of these features for real EEG signals and generate artificial samples for training. The variational auto-encoder (VAE) architecture can learn the spatial distribution of the actual data through a latent vector, and is introduced into the dual discriminator GAN to improve the diversity of the generated artificial samples. To evaluate the performance of this model, we conduct a systematic test on two public emotion EEG datasets, the SEED and the SEED-IV. The obtained recognition accuracy of the method using data augmentation shows as 92.5 and 82.3%, respectively, on the SEED and SEED-IV datasets, which is 1.5 and 3.5% higher than that of methods without using data augmentation. The experimental results show that the artificial samples generated by our model can effectively enhance the performance of the EEG-based emotion recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangcheng Bao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Imaging and Intelligent Processing, PLA Strategic Support Force Information Engineering University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bin Yan
- Henan Key Laboratory of Imaging and Intelligent Processing, PLA Strategic Support Force Information Engineering University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Li Tong
- Henan Key Laboratory of Imaging and Intelligent Processing, PLA Strategic Support Force Information Engineering University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jun Shu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Imaging and Intelligent Processing, PLA Strategic Support Force Information Engineering University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Linyuan Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Imaging and Intelligent Processing, PLA Strategic Support Force Information Engineering University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kai Yang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Imaging and Intelligent Processing, PLA Strategic Support Force Information Engineering University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ying Zeng
- Henan Key Laboratory of Imaging and Intelligent Processing, PLA Strategic Support Force Information Engineering University, Zhengzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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