Latest news with #Duchenne
Gulf Today
19 hours ago
- Health
- Gulf Today
How to spot a fake smile from the real thing
You've probably heard the claim that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile. It's usually framed as a feel-good reason to turn your frown upside down — less effort, more joy. But anatomically, the numbers don't quite add up. We've all seen it — the smile that doesn't quite reach the eyes. From awkward family photos to strained workplace pleasantries, our brains often detect that something is off long before we consciously realise why. But what is it about a smile that makes it feel sincere — or fake? The answer lies in a surprising blend of facial anatomy, neurology and emotional authenticity. Not all smiles are created equal, and anatomically speaking, there are at least two distinct kinds: the Duchenne smile, which reflects genuine happiness, and the non-Duchenne smile, which tends to be more social or strategic. Named after 19th-century French neurologist Guillaume Duchenne de Boulogne, the Duchenne smile activates two key muscle groups. The first group is associated with the corners of the mouth — where, for example, the risorius (from the Latin to smile) draws the corners outward and the zygomaticus major muscle lifts them. The second, and most telling, muscle is the orbicularis oculi, which tightens the muscles around the eyes, producing the familiar 'crow's feet' and the gentle narrowing we associate with warmth and delight. Fake or polite smiles, on the other hand, usually involve only the mouth muscles. The eyes remain wide or indifferent, and the smile appears more mechanical than meaningful — a kind of emotional camouflage. Both real and fake smiles depend on cranial nerve VII, also known as the facial nerve, which sends signals from the brain to the muscles of facial expression. However, there's a key neurological difference: Duchenne smiles tend to be generated by the limbic system, the brain's emotional core — particularly the amygdala, an almond-shaped group of neurons that processes emotional salience. Non-Duchenne smiles, by contrast, are often under more conscious cortical control, originating in the motor cortex. This divide means that authentic, emotionally driven smiles are involuntary. You can't easily will your orbicularis oculi to contract convincingly unless you're genuinely feeling the emotion behind the expression. Even professional actors must tap into real memories or method techniques to produce them convincingly. Why our brains notice the differenceHumans are remarkably good at detecting emotional authenticity. Studies show that even infants as young as ten months can distinguish between real and fake smiles. Evolutionarily, this ability may have helped us assess trustworthiness, recognise true allies and avoid deception. The fusiform gyrus, a part of the brain involved in facial recognition, works closely with the superior temporal sulcus to decode expressions — helping us gauge intention as much as emotion. n modern life, our sensitivity to facial nuance continues to matter. Politicians, customer service workers and public figures frequently rely on the social smile to navigate complex interpersonal expectations. But observers — consciously or not — often pick up on these micro-discrepancies. Fake smiles aren't necessarily malicious. In fact, they serve important social functions: smoothing awkward interactions, signalling politeness, defusing conflict and showing deference. They are a vital part of what sociologists call 'emotional labour' — managing one's expressions to meet societal or professional expectations. But this kind of smiling, when sustained for long periods, can be emotionally exhausting. Studies of emotional labour suggest that being required to smile without genuine feeling — especially in service roles — is associated with increased stress, burnout and even cardiovascular strain. As we move further into the age of AI, synthetic faces — from chatbots to virtual assistants — are being programmed to replicate human expressions. Yet the challenge remains: how do you fake authenticity? Engineers can program a smile, but without the micro-contractions around the eyes, many of these expressions still seem disingenuous. Our own anatomy sets the gold standard. So next time you're trying to decode someone's expression, don't just look at the mouth. Watch the eyes. The orbicularis oculi rarely lies.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
PepGen price target lowered to $1 from $3 at BofA
BofA lowered the firm's price target on PepGen (PEPG) to $1 from $3 and keeps an Underperform rating on the shares after the company announced it will be discontinuing development of Duchenne muscular dystrophy programs following 'disappointing' 10mg/kg data for PGN-EDO51. PepGen will now focus developmental efforts on its DM1 program, which the firm thinks 'still needs significant de-risking,' the analyst tells investors. The firm updated its model for Q1 results, cash and share count and removed value for DMD from its model based on the discontinuation. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See Insiders' Hot Stocks on TipRanks >> Read More on PEPG: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue PepGen to discontinue DMD programs after PGN-EDO51 did not achieve target PepGen price target lowered to $8 from $14 at H.C. Wainwright PepGen Inc.'s Strategic Shift Amidst DMD Program Discontinuation and Competitive Challenges PepGen Inc. Discontinues DMD Programs After Trial Results PepGen appoints Kasra Kasraian as CTO Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
PepGen Inc. (PEPG) Halts DMD Program After Trial Miss; Shifts Focus to DM1
Boston-based biotech PepGen Inc. (NASDAQ:PEPG) announced today it will discontinue all Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) research after its lead candidate, PGN-EDO51, failed to achieve target dystrophin levels in the CONNECT1-EDO51 trial. Despite being well tolerated at 10 mg/kg, PGN-EDO51 only increased dystrophin to 0.59% of normal levels, falling short of expectations. All treatment-related adverse events were mild, and no serious events were reported. A healthcare professional in a meeting with a patient discussing care options using digital technology. 'We are disappointed by the results and will wind down our DMD program,' said CEO James McArthur, PhD, thanking patients and staff for their support. PepGen Inc. (NASDAQ:PEPG) will now focus on its promising myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) program, PGN-EDODM1, which has shown robust target engagement and a favorable safety profile. PepGen Inc. (NASDAQ:PEPG) expects data from its Phase 1 FREEDOM-DM1 trial's 15 mg/kg cohort in the second half of 2025, and from the Phase 2 FREEDOM2-DM1 5 mg/kg cohort in early 2026. PGN-EDODM1, which has Orphan Drug and Fast Track status, targets the genetic root of DM1, a rare, life-shortening disorder with no approved treatments. While we acknowledge the potential of PEPG to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PEPG and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Science
- RTÉ News
Can you spot a fake smile from the real thing?
Analysis: What makes a smile feel sincere or fake is due to a surprising blend of facial anatomy, neurology and emotional authenticity By Michelle Spear, University of Bristol You've probably heard the claim that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile. It's usually framed as a feel-good reason to turn your frown upside down – less effort, more joy. But anatomically, the numbers don't quite add up. We've all seen it – the smile that doesn't quite reach the eyes. From awkward family photos to strained workplace pleasantries, our brains often detect that something is off long before we consciously realise why. From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, psychotherapist Padraig O'Morain on why we need to smile more But what is it about a smile that makes it feel sincere — or fake? The answer lies in a surprising blend of facial anatomy, neurology and emotional authenticity. Not all smiles are created equal Anatomically speaking, there are at least two distinct kinds: the Duchenne smile, which reflects genuine happiness, and the non-Duchenne smile, which tends to be more social or strategic. Named after 19th-century French neurologist Guillaume Duchenne de Boulogne, the Duchenne smile activates two key muscle groups. The first group is associated with the corners of the mouth – where, for example, the risorius (from the Latin to smile) draws the corners outward and the zygomaticus major muscle lifts them. The second, and most telling, muscle is the orbicularis oculi, which tightens the muscles around the eyes, producing the familiar "crow's feet" and the gentle narrowing we associate with warmth and delight. Fake or polite smiles, on the other hand, usually involve only the mouth muscles. The eyes remain wide or indifferent, and the smile appears more mechanical than meaningful – a kind of emotional camouflage. From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, Magdalena Rychlowska from the School of Psychology at Queens University Belfast on how villains use smiles Both real and fake smiles depend on cranial nerve VII, also known as the facial nerve, which sends signals from the brain to the muscles of facial expression. However, there's a key neurological difference: Duchenne smiles tend to be generated by the limbic system, the brain's emotional core – particularly the amygdala, an almond-shaped group of neurons that processes emotional salience. Non-Duchenne smiles, by contrast, are often under more conscious cortical control, originating in the motor cortex. This divide means that authentic, emotionally driven smiles are involuntary. You can't easily will your orbicularis oculi to contract convincingly unless you're genuinely feeling the emotion behind the expression. Even professional actors must tap into real memories or method techniques to produce them convincingly. From RTÉ Archives, a 1978 episode of Hall's Pictorial Weekly with regular characters Cha (Michael Twomey) and Miah (Frank Duggan) discussing a notice in a newspaper about smiling for Ireland. Why our brains notice the difference Humans are remarkably good at detecting emotional authenticity. Studies show that even infants as young as ten months can distinguish between real and fake smiles. Evolutionarily, this ability may have helped us assess trustworthiness, recognise true allies and avoid deception. The fusiform gyrus, a part of the brain involved in facial recognition, works closely with the superior temporal sulcus to decode expressions — helping us gauge intention as much as emotion. In modern life, our sensitivity to facial nuance continues to matter. Politicians, customer service workers and public figures frequently rely on the social smile to navigate complex interpersonal expectations. But observers – consciously or not – often pick up on these micro-discrepancies. From TED, Ron Gutman on the hidden power of smiling Fake smiles aren't necessarily malicious. In fact, they serve important social functions: smoothing awkward interactions, signalling politeness, defusing conflict and showing deference. They are a vital part of what sociologists call "emotional labour" – managing one's expressions to meet societal or professional expectations. But this kind of smiling, when sustained for long periods, can be emotionally exhausting. Studies of emotional labour suggest that being required to smile without genuine feeling – especially in service roles – is associated with increased stress, burnout and even cardiovascular strain. As we move further into the age of AI, synthetic faces – from chatbots to virtual assistants – are being programmed to replicate human expressions. Yet the challenge remains: how do you fake authenticity? Engineers can program a smile, but without the micro-contractions around the eyes, many of these expressions still seem disingenuous. Our own anatomy sets the gold standard. So next time you're trying to decode someone's expression, don't just look at the mouth. Watch the eyes. The orbicularis oculi rarely lies.
STV News
4 days ago
- Health
- STV News
Hope for families as new medication rolled out to first Scottish children
Families of children living with a progressive muscle-wasting condition have welcomed the roll-out of a new drug that could slow the impact of the disease. They have been fighting for months to gain access to medication for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which is found almost exclusively in boys. The condition has a massive impact on mobility and eventually begins to affect a patient's organs. The average life expectancy for someone with Duchenne is roughly 29 years. Givinostat, which can slow progression by months or even years, is currently awaiting approval for NHS use, but an early access programme (EAP) is available for those who qualify. Families had previously been told that limited resources would delay their children from receiving the treatment.A campaign put pressure on health boards and health secretary Neil Gray to find a way to speed up the was backed by high-profile Glasgow lawyer Aamer Anwar, who was prepared to support the families with legal the first of what's thought to be 30 eligible boys have begun to receive their first doses of givinostat. One of those is ten-year-old Riley Wilson from Angus. His 'Nana' Janice hopes the medication will make a big difference. She told STV News: 'I would have imagined he would have been in a wheelchair within a couple of years, but with this drug, hopefully that might be extended until he's into his mid-teens.'It's not a cure, we all know it's not a cure. But hopefully it will slow down the process of the disease and give them a lot longer on their feet.'Riley is feeling the impact of Duchenne – his aunt Joanne says stairs are 'a real struggle' for him.'He struggles to hold on, and if he's taking his (Nintendo) Switch or that upstairs, he needs a hand,' she the youngster is still able to do most of what he enjoys, like going to the park and playing football with his friends – something it's hoped givinostat will allow him to enjoy for for prescribing givinostat vary between health boards, but more are expecting to begin handing out the drug in the coming weeks. Eight-year-old Sam Millar and his parents, Stephen and Karla, have been at the forefront of the campaign. STV News Dad Stephen told STV News: 'We got a telephone call from Sam's consultant at the Sick Children's Hospital in Edinburgh to let us know that Sam will be getting the givinostat medication from the end of July, early August.'It's been very emotional. Immediately after the call, Karla just burst into tears, and I think that sums up what this means to us as a family.'Karla added: 'It's a bit like a weight has slightly lifted off your shoulders.'Obviously, the fight is not over until we have the medication in our hands and we start giving it to Sam.'While DMD is a rare condition, around 2,500 people in total around the UK are living with the disease. Campaigners hope givinostat can be given to more than the roughly 30 children currently set to receive the drug in said: 'It will take a wee while for all the boys to get this.'But the boys who are non-ambulant (unable to walk independently), they are now the ones who we need to fight for.'Emily Reuben, the chief executive of Duchenne UK, and Alex Johnson, the chief executive of Joining Jack, both have a son with said: 'There's something worse than having no treatment – and that's having a treatment, available to the NHS for free, but no one can work out how to administer it.'I'm delighted that clinics in Scotland have solved this problem and are committed to rolling out access to the EAP for their patients. 'Now is the time for the rest of the UK to follow Scotland's example and provide a plan and timescale to roll this out for everyone who is eligible.' Health secretary Neil Gray said: 'I understand this is an anxious time for the young people and their families and recognise how much it affects their lives. 'I welcome the roll-out of the early access programme for givinostat for eligible children who have been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and who are still walking. 'The Scottish Government wants all children and young people living with DMD to benefit from new medicines, such as givinostat, and live longer, fuller lives. Health Boards have now started to contact all families with children eligible under the current national early access programme, to set out the timelines involved. 'We continue to work with the four Health Boards providing regional services to those with DMD in order to support access to givinostat as soon as possible for all children who have been diagnosed with DMD, including those who are not able to walk.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
