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Cited by 73Face Recognition and PerceptionNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Administration of the beta-adrenoceptor blocker propranolol impairs the processing of facial expressions of sadness

Harmer, C.J., Perrett, D.I., Cowen, P.J., Goodwin, G.M.·2001·Psychopharmacology
DOI 10.1007/s002130000654
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Abstract

Rationale Noradrenergic processes within the amygdala have been implicated in the modulation of memory for emotional material. The amygdala has also been associated with the processing of facial expressions of emotion, particularly those of fear and sadness. However, the role of noradrenaline in the latter process is unknown.Objective Therefore the present study examined the effect of an oral beta-blocker (propranolol, 80 mg) upon facial expression recognition in healthy volunteers.Methods Facial expressions of six basic emotions, which had been "morphed" between neutral and each emotional standard, were used in the recognition task. Subjects completed this task both before and 1 h following either propranolol or a placebo. Control measures of choice reaction time and vigilance performance were also included to assess any non-specific effects of the drug upon alertness and speed.Results The administration of propranolol, relative to placebo, specifically increased reaction time to identify facial expressions of sadness correctly, in the absence of changes in speed to recognise other facial expressions of emotion. Subjective ratings of mood and alertness as well as speed in the two control tasks were not altered by propranolol, arguing against an account in terms of general sedation.Conclusions These data suggest that noradrenergic processes are not only involved in memory for emotional material but also in the evaluation of sadness from facial expression. The selective nature of this effect adds to evidence suggesting that the recognition of different expressions of emotion depends upon at least partly separable neural processes. A role for noradrenaline in recognising sadness in others has potential relevance for our understanding of disorders characterised by disturbances in emotional processing.

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  • Propranolol in single doses is a well-established means of assessing the role of noradrenaline pathways in emotional learning and perception.

    “Propranolol in single doses is a well-established means of assessing the role of noradrenaline pathways in emotional learning and perception (Cahill et al. 1994; Harmer et al. 2001; Hurlemann et al. 2010a, b; Mihov et al. 2010).”

    From Propranolol reduces implicit negative racial bias (2012) · cites this paper as Harmer et al. 2001

  • Noradrenaline pathways involving β-adrenergic receptors play a role in emotional memory and emotional perception, as judged by effects of propranolol.

    “noradrenaline pathways involving β-adrenergic receptors are known to play a role in emotional memory and emotional perception (Cahill et al. 1994; Harmer et al. 2001) as judged by the effects of the non-selective β-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol.”

    From Propranolol reduces implicit negative racial bias (2012) · cites this paper as Harmer et al. 2001

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Authors
Harmer, C. J., Perrett, D. I., Cowen, P. J., & Goodwin, G. M.
Affiliations
  • Warneford Hospital (GB)
  • University of St Andrews (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Psychopharmacology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2001-04-04
Volume
154
Issue
4
Pages
383-389
ISSN
  • 0033-3158 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-2072
DOI
10.1007/s002130000654
OpenAlex
W1998909482
Cited by
73
References
33
Citations by year
2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 4
FWCI
2.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
propranolol, beta-adrenergic blockade, norepinephrine, facial expression recognition, sadness, amygdala, emotional memory, emotional processing, sustained attention, reaction time
MeSH terms
Administration, Oral, Adrenergic beta-Antagonists, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Double-Blind Method, Emotions, Facial Expression, Female, Humans, Male, Propranolol, Reaction Time, Recognition, Psychology

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