Is impairment of facial emotion recognition independent of cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis?

Background: Emotions expressed on the face play a key role in social cognition and communication by providing inner emotional experiences. This study aimed to evaluate facial emotion identification and discrimination and empathy abilities in patients with MS and whether it is related to cognitive dysfunction.

Methods: One hundred twenty patients with relapsing-remitting MS and age- and sex-matched 120 healthy controls were enrolled in the study.