EXPRESSION OF CONCERN NOTICE to Darwin revisited: the vagus nerve is a causal element in controlling recognition of other's emotions

Abstract

Darwin revisited: The vagus nerve is a causal element in controlling recognition of other's emotions, Cortex, Volume 92, 2017, By Lorenza S. Colzato, Roberta Sellaro, Christian Beste is the subject of an Expression of Concern by the Editors of the journal Cortex.

This Expression of Concern comes after a thorough and time-consuming analysis of the published article and the data it reports, following an investigation from the University of Leiden.

On 17th November 2021 Cortex received advice from the University of Leiden, containing allegations of misconduct concerning the data reported in this article. Due to the nature of the concerns raised about this paper, the Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the Co-Editor, examined all documents provided, all aspects of the peer review and editorial process and requested the view of each of the authors. The Editor-in-Chief wishes to acknowledge the co-operation of all parties.The Editor-in-Chief found no evidence of fraud. However, there is a legitimate cause for concern due to the authors dropping a small number of participants' performances without reporting it, which however does not invalidate the conclusions of the article.The Editor-in-Chief commends the authors for their willingness in participating in this dialogue.The Editor-in-Chief, the Co-Editor and the entire editorial board will use this case as a reminder to be as diligent as possible in the peer review process and to support transparency and openness in data sharing.