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Older Adults See Happiness in Ambiguous Faces, Study Finds

10/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) researchers report that older adults interpret ambiguous facial expressions as happy rather than angry.
The positivity bias is linked to increased activity in the locus coeruleus and its connection to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
Researchers say these neural adaptations help maintain emotional well-being despite cognitive decline.

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Story summary

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) researchers report that older adults interpret ambiguous facial expressions as happy rather than angry.
The positivity bias is linked to increased activity in the locus coeruleus and its connection to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
Researchers say these neural adaptations help maintain emotional well-being despite cognitive decline.