A pioneering study with more than two decades of research conducted by the Facial Expression of Emotion Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine at Fernando Pessoa University (FEELab) concludes that the human face functions as an early biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases, paving the way for a new approach in the diagnosis, monitoring and clinical understanding of these pathologies. The results are presented in the book “Facial Biomarkers of Neurodegenerative Diseases”, released on Tuesday in Porto by Professor Doutor Freitas-Magalhães, director of the Facial Expression of Emotion Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine at Fernando Pessoa University.
The research demonstrates that neuromicroexpressions – automatic, rapid, and involuntary facial responses – constitute sensitive indicators of neural dysfunction, often preceding classic cognitive signs. According to the study’s coordinator, the face ceases to be merely a means of expression and becomes a true “living map of neurodegeneration.”.
“The face is more than a reflection of emotion; it is a living archive of brain activity. Changes in neuromicroexpressions can reveal neuronal dysfunction at an extremely early stage, even before the obvious clinical symptoms,” states Professor Freitas-Magalhães. Unlike traditional methods such as imaging tests or cognitive tests, this approach proposes a non-invasive, accessible and continuous solution based on the systematic analysis of facial expression through F-M FACS 6.0. “We are facing a paradigm shift: the possibility of observing the brain through the face, in real time and in a natural context,” he adds.
The study identifies specific facial patterns associated with the different neurodegenerative diseases studied:
– Alzheimer’s disease: progressive reduction in expressivity and decrease in neuromicroexpressions;
– Parkinson’s disease: hypomimia (face in a mask) and dissociation between emotion and expression;
– Frontotemporal dementias: emotional dysregulation and discontextualized expressions;
– Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): motor limitation with possible initial emotional preservation.
“Each disease has its own facial signature. The face not only allows us to detect the disease, but also to differentiate it based on expressive patterns,” explains the Director of FEELab/UFP.
The investigation points to multiple applications:
– Early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases;
– Longitudinal monitoring of clinical progression;
– Evaluation of the response to treatments;
– Improvement in clinical communication with patients;
– Integration with artificial intelligence for automated analysis.
“Facial analysis could become a central tool in clinical practice, complementing traditional methods and offering a continuous and ecological reading of the brain state,” emphasizes Freitas-Magalhães.
The work will also be presented by Professor Freitas-Magalhães at the 21st IASP World Congress on Pain in Bangkok, Thailand, reinforcing the international recognition of the research developed in Portugal. “This is a scientific contribution with global impact, positioning Portugal at the forefront of the neuroscience of emotion and facial expression,” the author states.
The study concludes that the facial expression of emotion constitutes a direct reflection of the integrity of the brain systems, and it is possible to transform the face into a robust, sensitive, and widely applicable clinical biomarker.
“The face emerges as a privileged interface between the brain and the world. Understanding it is understanding the disease, and potentially, anticipating it,” concludes Professor Freitas-Magalhães.
