Am J Psychiatry 1985; 142:348-351
Copyright © 1985 by American Psychiatric Association
Agitation-increased electromyogram activity in the corrugator muscle region: a possible explanation of the "Omega sign"?
JF Greden, N Genero and HL Price
The corrugator muscle region of the forehead has special significance in
producing facial expressions associated with depression. Darwin observed in
1872 that contractions in the corrugator region produce peculiarly formed
wrinkles on the forehead, referred to as "Omega Melancholium." In the
present study, results from 61 right-handed, drug- free women with major
depressive disorder showed a significant positive correlation between
facial corrugator EMG values and psychomotor agitation. Results were not
due to differences in severity of depression. These data offer preliminary
evidence that agitation is reflected in corrugator muscle activity and may
explain the "Omega sign" of melancholia.
