State-dependent alteration in face emotion recognition in depression.
BACKGROUND
Negative biases in emotional processing are well recognised in people who  are currently depressed but are less well described in those with a history of  depression, where such biases may contribute to vulnerability to relapse.


OBJECTIVE
To compare accuracy, discrimination and bias in face emotion recognition in  those with current and remitted depression.


METHODS
The sample comprised a control group (n = 101), a currently  depressed group (n = 30) and a remitted depression group (n  = 99). Participants provided valid data after receiving a computerised face  emotion recognition task following standardised assessment of diagnosis and  mood symptoms.


RESULTS
In the control group women were more accurate in recognising emotions than  men owing to greater discrimination. Among participants with depression, those  in remission correctly identified more emotions than controls owing to  increased response bias, whereas those currently depressed recognised fewer  emotions owing to decreased discrimination. These effects were most marked for  anger, fear and sadness but there was no significant emotion × group  interaction, and a similar pattern tended to be seen for happiness although  not for surprise or disgust. These differences were confined to participants  who were antidepressant-free, with those taking antidepressants having similar  results to the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Abnormalities in face emotion recognition differ between people with  current depression and those in remission. Reduced discrimination in depressed  participants may reflect withdrawal from the emotions of others, whereas the  increased bias in those with a history of depression could contribute to  vulnerability to relapse. The normal face emotion recognition seen in those  taking medication may relate to the known effects of antidepressants on  emotional processing and could contribute to their ability to protect against  depressive relapse.
Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit, School of Community Based Medicine, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK. ian.anderson@manchester.ac.uk
Ian M
IM
Anderson
Clare
C
Shippen
Gabriella
G
Juhasz
Diana
D
Chase
Emma
E
Thomas
Darragh
D
Downey
Zoltan G
ZG
Toth
Kathryn
K
Lloyd-Williams
Rebecca
R
Elliott
J F William
JF
Deakin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D004644:Emotions; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012008:Recurrence; D055815:Young Adult
D000928:Antidepressive Agents