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KMID : 0311120170580051061
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Yonsei Medical Journal
2017 Volume.58 No. 5 p.1061 ~ p.1065
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Altered Functional Connectivity of the Default Mode Network in Low-Empathy Subjects
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Kim Seung-Jun
Kim Sung-Eun
Kim Hyo-Eun
Han Ki-Wan
Jeong Bum-Seok
Kim Jae-Jin
Kee Nam-Koong
Kim Ji-Woong
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Abstract
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Empathy is the ability to identify with or make a vicariously experience of another person's feelings or thoughts based on memory and/or self-referential mental simulation. The default mode network in particular is related to self-referential empathy. In order to elucidate the possible neural mechanisms underlying empathy, we investigated the functional connectivity of the default mode network in subjects from a general population. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from 19 low-empathy subjects and 18 medium-empathy subjects. An independent component analysis was used to identify the default mode network, and differences in functional connectivity strength were compared between the two groups. The low-empathy group showed lower functional connectivity of the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex (Brodmann areas 9 and 32) within the default mode network, compared to the medium-empathy group. The results of the present study suggest that empathy is related to functional connectivity of the medial prefrontal cortex/anterior cingulate cortex within the default mode network. Functional decreases in connectivity among low-empathy subjects may reflect an impairment of self-referential mental simulation.
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KEYWORD
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Empathy, magnetic resonance imaging, functional neuroimaging, medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex
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