Perception of facial emotions in chronic schizophrenia does not correlate with negative symptoms but correlates with cognitive and motor dysfunction

Background: Appropriate expression of emotions and correct perception of em otional expression in others are important social skills which may be impai red in schizophrenia and contribute to poor social adjustment. We examined the relationship between expression of emotions as measured by affective fl attening and other negative symptoms and their perception. We compared perf ormance on tests of perception of facial emotions with that in other cognit ive areas. Methods: 36 chronic schizophrenic patients on stable doses of at ypical antipsychotics were assessed using tests of identification (FID) and discrimination (FDIS) of facial emotional expressions, visual retention (B VRT) and general cognitive function (Mini Mental State Examination, MMSE). Clinical symptoms were assessed with scales for the assessment of negative symptoms (SANS) and positive symptoms (SAPS). Motor symptoms were assessed with side effects (SA) and AIMS scales and Finger Tapping Test, Results: Ne gative symptoms showed no relation to FID or FDIS. FID showed significant c orrelation with Visual Retention and Finger Tapping but not MMSE. Conclusio n: The ability to identify facial emotional expressions is not related to n egative symptoms in chronic schizophrenia and shares common mechanisms with visual reproduction and ability to make rapid motor movements. This sugges ts common defects in perceptual, timed processes consistent with postulated dysfunction of corticosubcortical. circuits. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.