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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 \u201cFacial Biomarkers of Neurodegenerative Diseases\u201d, released on Tuesday in Porto by Professor Doutor Freitas-Magalh\u00e3es, director of the Facial Expression of Emotion Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine at Fernando Pessoa University.<\/p>

The research demonstrates that neuromicroexpressions \u2013 automatic, rapid, and involuntary facial responses \u2013 constitute sensitive indicators of neural dysfunction, often preceding classic cognitive signs. According to the study\u2019s coordinator, the face ceases to be merely a means of expression and becomes a true \u201cliving map of neurodegeneration.\u201d.<\/p>

\u201cThe 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,\u201d states Professor Freitas-Magalh\u00e3es. 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. \u201cWe are facing a paradigm shift: the possibility of observing the brain through the face, in real time and in a natural context,\u201d he adds.<\/p>

The study identifies specific facial patterns associated with the different neurodegenerative diseases studied:<\/p>

\u2013 Alzheimer\u2019s disease: progressive reduction in expressivity and decrease in neuromicroexpressions;
\u2013 Parkinson\u2019s disease: hypomimia (face in a mask) and dissociation between emotion and expression;
\u2013 Frontotemporal dementias: emotional dysregulation and discontextualized expressions;
\u2013 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): motor limitation with possible initial emotional preservation.<\/p>

\u201cEach 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,\u201d explains the Director of FEELab\/UFP.<\/p>

The investigation points to multiple applications:<\/p>

\u2013 Early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases;
\u2013 Longitudinal monitoring of clinical progression;
\u2013 Evaluation of the response to treatments;
\u2013 Improvement in clinical communication with patients;
\u2013 Integration with artificial intelligence for automated analysis.<\/p>

\u201cFacial analysis could become a central tool in clinical practice, complementing traditional methods and offering a continuous and ecological reading of the brain state,\u201d emphasizes Freitas-Magalh\u00e3es.<\/p>

The work will also be presented by Professor Freitas-Magalh\u00e3es at the 21st IASP World Congress on Pain in Bangkok, Thailand, reinforcing the international recognition of the research developed in Portugal. \u201cThis is a scientific contribution with global impact, positioning Portugal at the forefront of the neuroscience of emotion and facial expression,\u201d the author states.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

\u201cThe face emerges as a privileged interface between the brain and the world. Understanding it is understanding the disease, and potentially, anticipating it,\u201d concludes Professor Freitas-Magalh\u00e3es.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Um estudo pioneiro com mais de duas d\u00e9cadas de investiga\u00e7\u00e3o desenvolvido pelo Laborat\u00f3rio de Express\u00e3o Facial da Emo\u00e7\u00e3o, da Faculdade de Medicina, da Universidade Fernando Pessoa (FEELab), conclui que a face humana funciona como um biomarcador precoce das doen\u00e7as neurodegenerativas, abrindo caminho a uma nova abordagem no diagn\u00f3stico, monitoriza\u00e7\u00e3o e compreens\u00e3o cl\u00ednica destas patologias. Os […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":1074078,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1074076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-noticias"],"yoast_head":"\n