Neuropsychological morbidity in premature skin ageing
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Neuropsychological morbidity in premature skin ageing
IRAS ID
165520
Contact name
C. Elise Kleyn
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
We believe that the effects of premature ageing skin may occur as a consequence of emotional processing, particularly the emotion disgust. This emotion may be related to acceptance in the social setting. In our previous research have shown that patients with skin disease (psoriasis) process the emotion disgust differently to healthy participants with no history of skin disease (Kleyn et al. Diminished neural and cognitive responses to facial expressions of disgust in patients with psoriasis: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. J investing Dermatol 2009; 129:2163-9). In addition to this, Other research provides evidence that the positive and negative evaluation of one’s own facial attractiveness depends on certain brain areas which are related to self-esteem and self-blaming social emotions (e.g. embarrassment).
During Phase 1 of the study we will use computerised tasks to establish if responses to images of the face (including age estimations, ratings of attractiveness using age-morphed faces and the recognition of face emotions, particularly disgust) can be used to measure psychological distress in participants with premature ageing skin.
During Phase 2, we will measure responses to images of the face using computerised tasks (including age estimations, ratings of attractiveness using age-morphed faces and the recognition of face emotions, particularly disgust) and assess whether these responses change when participants use an effective treatment for premature skin ageing with a topical retinoid (a cosmetic cream used widely to reduce skin ageing).
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0373
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion