Cited by 74Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesFace Recognition and PerceptionAction Observation and Synchronization

Detection of the facial expression of emotion and self-report measures in empathic situations are influenced by sensorimotor circuit inhibition by low-frequency rTMS.

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Balconi, Michela, Bortolotti, Adriana·2012·Brain Stimulation

Abstract

Background Empathic responses to facial cues are a main social competency. Both appraisal processes (facial emotion detection) and self-perceived empathy (empathic responsiveness) in response to emotional faces are thought to be related to empathic behavior, although no systematic analysis has been performed to assess their relationship. Objectives The current research explored the contribution of the frontal sensorimotor system to facial detection and self-reported empathic measures by using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to produce a temporary disruption of this specific cortical site. Methods Eighteen subjects were asked to detect facial expression of emotions (anger, fear, happiness, and neutrality) and to evaluate their empathic responsiveness to these facial cues. A 5-second rTMS (1 Hz, inhibition paradigm) pulse was delivered before the stimulus onset. Results Error rates and response times (RTs) increased when brain activity was disrupted, specifically in response to anger and fear. Self-reported measures showed a concomitant decreased empathic response when the frontal sensorimotor system was deactivated. Conclusions The ability to monitor emotional cues and the behavioral empathic responsiveness to emotional situations was shown to be partially compromised in the case of frontal activity disruption, highlighting the main role of the sensorimotor system for empathic social skills.

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  • During cooperative social interactions, SCL, SCR, and HR increased in contexts with high emotional engagement.

    “Also, we have shown that during cooperative social interactions, Skin Conductance Level and Response (SCL and SCR) indices, together with heart rate (HR), increased in contexts with high emotional engagement, where the cooperative motivation was induced by presenting feedback which reinforced the positive outcomes of the intersubjective exchange (Balconi and Bortolotti, 2012; Vanutelli et al., 201”

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Authors
Balconi, M., & Bortolotti, A.
Affiliations
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT)
Corresponding author
Balconi, Michela
Venue
Brain Stimulation
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-07
Volume
5
Issue
3
Pages
330-336
ISSN
  • 1876-4754 (ISSN-L)
  • 1935-861X
OpenAlex
W2081775705
Cited by
74
References
30
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 5
FWCI
3.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Brain stimulation (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Catholic University Research Fund
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
Keywords
facial emotion recognition, empathy, self-reported empathy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, low-frequency rTMS, emotion appraisal, anger, fear, happiness, social cognition
MeSH terms
Adult, Emotions, Empathy, Facial Expression, Female, Humans, Male, Motor Cortex, Neural Inhibition, Somatosensory Cortex, Visual Perception, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Young Adult

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