Effects of psychotropic drugs used in the treatment of anxiety disorders on the recognition of facial expressions of emotion: Critical analysis of literature.
Deficits in recognition of facial expressions of emotion (RFEE) play a central role in the manifestation of anxiety disorders (AD). We systematically reviewed the literature to determine effects of drugs used in AD treatment on RFEE, based on outcomes of accuracy rate, reaction time, and intensity. Electronic databases, including Pubmed, PsycINFO, and Scielo, were used without time constraints. Twenty-six clinical/experimental studies on healthy subjects, focusing on 11 drugs, published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, were selected. We found that increased recognition of happiness was associated with acute use of citalopram, fluoxetine, duloxetine, and reboxetine. Increased and decreased recognition of negative emotions were associated with the use of selective serotonin and/or norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, respectively. Benzodiazepine favored recognition of negative emotions. Differences in reaction time were rarely observed. Stimuli with distinct emotion intensities produced similar effects. Specific changes occurred in RFEE depending on the drug, its administration route and dose, and emotion valence. Evidences indicate significant effects on emotional processing relevant to clinical practice, particularly in treating patients with emotional disorders.
Department of Neurosciences and Behaviour, Medical School of RibeirãoPreto, University of São Paulo, Avenida dos Bandeirantes 3900, CEP 14048-900, Brazil.
Alini Daniéli Viana
ADV
Sabino
Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís (SP-310), Km 235, CEP 13565-905, Brazil.
Marcos Hortes N
MHN
Chagas
Department of Neurosciences and Behaviour, Medical School of RibeirãoPreto, University of São Paulo, Avenida dos Bandeirantes 3900, CEP 14048-900, Brazil; Technology Institute (INCT, CNPq) for Translational Medicine, Brazil. Electronic address: flaliosorio@ig.com.br.
Flávia L
FL
Osório
D001008:Anxiety Disorders; D004644:Emotions; D005149:Facial Expression; D006801:Humans; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D021641:Recognition, Psychology
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
Anxiety; Emotion; Emotion valence; Faces; Psychiatric drugs; Recognition; Systematic review