Facial expressions are powerful visual signals capable of reflecting universal emotions across linguistic and cultural barriers. In an era of global connectivity where technology mediates human interactions, understanding the role of facial expressions becomes crucial for effective communication and social regulation. Population aging leads to changes in emotional perception, with the elderly showing a decline in recognising facial emotions, attributable to neuroanatomical and neurofunctional changes. These include re–ductions in gray matter and alterations in white matter in the brain, which affect the visual and cognitive processing of emotions. Studies indicate that cognitive decline can impair the ability to interpret emotional expressions, negatively impacting interpersonal relationships and the emotional well–being of the elderly. In the context of pathological aging, where cognition is compromised, the ability to recognise emotions becomes even more critical. Understanding these processes is essential for improving the quality of life of the elderly, especially in situations of frailty and illness, where good social–emotional cognition can make a difference in maintaining individual well–being.
Keywords: Emotion; Facial Expression; Facial Emotion Recognition; Physiological Ageing; Pathological Ageing.