Definition
Hypomymia is the reduction of facial expressiveness. This symptom is mainly caused by damage to the pyramidal nervous system (Parkinson's disease), scleroderma or problems with depression.
In Parkinson's disease, facial expression is reduced or absent (in this case, it is called amimia) and blinking is rare. The hypomimia in patients affected by this disease is evident, as it is associated with hypertonia of the facial muscles (typical of Parkinson's disease) and the diminished ability to modify facial expression both voluntarily and spontaneously, based on variations mood. Other characteristic parkinsonian signs include tremor (especially at rest), slowing of movement and stiffness of trunk and limbs.
In scleroderma, the loss of facial expressiveness is a consequence of the thickening of the skin, which becomes progressively adherent to the underlying tissues and inelastic.
Depression, on the other hand, can manifest itself through the loss of the ability to express emotions through the face, which appears so fixed, sad and dull.
Other causes of hypomimia include hypothyroidism and facial paralysis.
Possible Causes * of Hypomimia
- Autism
- Major depression
- Dyspraxia
- Bipolar disorder
- Herpes zoster oticus
- Stroke
- Hypothyroidism
- Parkinson's disease
- Acoustic neurinoma
- Schizophrenia
- Scleroderma
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Asperger syndrome
