Emotional facial expressions evoke rapid, involuntary, and covert facial reactions in the perceiver that are consistent with the emotional valence of the observed expression. These responses are believed to be an important low-level mechanism contributing to the experience of empathy, which some have argued rely on a simulation mechanism subserved by the human mirror neuron system (MNS). Because schizophrenia is associated with pervasive social cognitive difficulties which have been linked to structural abnormalities in the MNS network, the aim of the present study was to provide the first assessment of how rapid facial mimicry reactions (within 1000 ms poststimulus onset) are affected in schizophrenia. Activity in the corrugator supercilii and zygomaticus major muscle regions was quantified using electromyography while individuals with schizophrenia (n = 25) and controls (n = 25) viewed images of happy and angry facial expressions. In contrast to controls, individuals with schizophrenia demonstrated atypical facial mimicry reactions which were not associated with any clinical features of the disorder. These data provide evidence for a low-level disruption that may be contributing to empathizing deficits in schizophrenia and are discussed in relation to neuropsychological models of empathy and schizophrenia. (JINS, 2010, 16, 621–629.)

Primary extra-nodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the skeletal muscles is a well recognized entity although such occurrences are not very common. Presentation in the muscles of the face has only rarely been described. We present a case of primary extra-nodal NHL in a non-immunocompromised patient involving only the muscles of facial expression and not extending to the oral cavity or sinonasal tract. The patient was subsequently treated with chemotherapy and at the time of writing remained in remission. We suggest that lymphoma should be considered among the causes for malignant infiltration of the muscles of the face.