Cited by 903Action Observation and SynchronizationNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesEmpathy and Medical Education

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Is there a core neural network in empathy? An fMRI based quantitative meta-analysis

Fan, Yan, Duncan, Niall W., de Greck, Moritz, Northoff, Georg·2011·Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

DOI 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.10.009

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Abstract

Whilst recent neuroimaging studies have identified a series of different brain regions as being involved in empathy, it remains unclear concerning the activation consistence of these brain regions and their specific functional roles. Using MKDA, a whole-brain based quantitative meta-analysis of recent fMRI studies of empathy was performed. This analysis identified the dACC-aMCC-SMA and bilateral anterior insula as being consistently activated in empathy. Hypothesizing that what are here termed affective-perceptual and cognitive-evaluative forms of empathy might be characterized by different activity patterns, the neural activations in these forms of empathy were compared. The dorsal aMCC was demonstrated to be recruited more frequently in the cognitive-evaluative form of empathy, whilst the right anterior insula was found to be involved in the affective-perceptual form of empathy only. The left anterior insula was active in both forms of empathy. It was concluded that the dACC-aMCC-SMA and bilateral insula can be considered as forming a core network in empathy, and that cognitive-evaluative and affective-perceptual empathy can be distinguished at the level of regional activation.

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Chen, J., Zhang, D., Qu, Z., & Wang, C. (2020) · IEEE Access · doi:10.1109/access.2020.3029502 · Cited by 9
“…science, the research on empathy has been carried out in a more reductionist way with the consensus that ‘‘empathy is the perceptual ability leading to pre-rationality and animism,’’ and empathy has been divided into two categories, namely ‘‘affective empathy’’ and ‘‘cognitive empathy’’ [28], [29].”
Background
Medical education and distrust modulate the response of insular-cingulate network and ventral striatum in pain diagnosis
Dirupo, G., Totaro, S., Richard, J. C. M., & Corradi‐Dell’Acqua, C. (2021) · eLife · doi:10.7554/elife.63272 · Cited by 10
“…expressions, in terms of both behavioral ratings and neural response in a predefined brain network (centered on AI and dACC) implicated in the processing people’s sufferance (Ding et al., 2020; Fan et al., 2011; Jauniaux et al., 2019; Kogler et al., 2020; Lamm et al., 2011; Timmers et al., 2018).”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Relationship Between Medical Students’ Empathy and Occupation Expectation: Mediating Roles of Resilience and Subjective Well-Being
Wu, W., Qi, Q., Cao, X., Li, S., Guo, Z., Yu, L., Ma, X., Liu, Y., Liu, Z., You, X., et al. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.708342 · Cited by 10
Intergroup Relationship and Empathy for Others’ Pain: A Social Neuroscience Approach
Han, S. (2015) · International and cultural psychology/International and cultural psychology series · doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-2260-4_2 · Cited by 9
“Fan and Han ( 2008 ) conducted the fi rst event-related potential (ERP) study that examined the time course of empathy for pain.”
BackgroundInfluential
The Neural Signature of Empathy for Physical Pain … Not Quite There Yet!
Tremblay, M.-P. B., Meugnot, A., & Jackson, P. L. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-78340-6_8 · Cited by 5
The impact of problematic Facebook use and Facebook context on empathy for pain processing: An event-related potential study
Kopiś-Posiej, N., Cudo, A., Tużnik, P., Wojtasiński, M., Augustynowicz, P., Zabielska‐Mendyk, E., & Bogucka, V. (2021) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2021.106936 · Cited by 11
Perspective-Taking or Feeling? The Role of Cognitive and Affective Empathy for Adolescents’ Social Entrepreneurial Intentions
Dickel, P., & Johnson, M. (2024) · Journal of Social Entrepreneurship · doi:10.1080/19420676.2023.2299285 · Cited by 12
“In other academic disciplines, such as psychology, medicine, and sociology, it is well established that empathy is a multidimensional construct with a cognitive and an affective dimension (Fan et al. 2011; Kogler et al. 2020; Martineau, Decety, and Racine 2020).”
The missing construct: Impathy
Neubrand, S., & Gaab, J. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.726029 · Cited by 7
The intersection of empathy and addiction
Cox, S. S., & Reichel, C. M. (2022) · Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173509 · Cited by 8
EEG evidence for racial ingroup bias in collective empathy for pain
Mei, S., Weiss, M. H., Hein, G., & Han, S. (2024) · Cerebral Cortex · doi:10.1093/cercor/bhae019 · Cited by 8
Empathy aligns brains in synchrony
Schwartz, L., Lévy, J., Shapira, Y., Salomonski, C., Hayut, O., Zagoory‐Sharon, O., & Feldman, R. (2025) · iScience · doi:10.1016/j.isci.2025.112642 · Cited by 12
“8 Neuroimaging studies identified distinct neural networks associated with each component 9–12 and lesion studies provided evidence for their dissociation.”
Influence of empathetic pain processing on cognition in schizophrenia
Hu, K., Lijffijt, M., Beauchaine, T. P., Fan, Z., Shi, H., & He, S. (2014) · European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience · doi:10.1007/s00406-014-0565-x · Cited by 8
“Specifically, individuals with schizophrenia experience dysfunctional brain networks, for example, altered reciprocal connection between limbic and dorsal cortical structures [19, 32, 75, 98, 109].”
Background
Gender and neural substrates subserving implicit processing of death-related linguistic cues
Qin, J., Shi, Z., Ma, Y., & Han, S. (2018) · Cognitive Processing · doi:10.1007/s10339-017-0847-0 · Cited by 8
Cognitive and Affective Empathy as Indirect Paths Between Heterogeneous Depression Symptoms on Default Mode and Salience Network Connectivity in Adolescents
Winters, D. E., Pruitt, P. J., Gambin, M., Fukui, S., Cyders, M. A., Pierce, B. J., Lay, K., & Damoiseaux, J. S. (2021) · Child Psychiatry & Human Development · doi:10.1007/s10578-021-01242-2 · Cited by 8
Stronger mentalizing network connectivity in expectant fathers predicts postpartum father-infant bonding and parenting behavior
Marshall, N. A., Kaplan, J., Stoycos, S. A., Goldenberg, D., Khoddam, H., Cárdenas, S. I., Sellery, P., & Saxbe, D. (2022) · Social Neuroscience · doi:10.1080/17470919.2022.2029559 · Cited by 8
“…Van Overwalle & Baetens, 2009), whereas affective empathy recruits anterior insula and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in addition to prefrontal areas (Decety & Michalska, 2010; Decety et al., 2008; Fan et al., 2011; Gilbert et al., 2006; Lockwood, 2016; Singer et al., 2004; Van Overwalle, 2009).”
Background
Empathy - Advanced Research and Applications
Ventura, S. (2022) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.100657 · Cited by 12
Meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging and dispositional variables for clinical empathy
Chen, C., Chen, Y., & Cheng, Y. (2022) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104874 · Cited by 8
“Echoing past findings on pain empathy, the most convergent brain regions within healthcare providers exhibited the ‘core network of empathy’ (Fan et al., 2011; Lamm et al., 2011; Timmers et al., 2018), showing consistent activations of the anterior mid-cingulate cortex and anterior insula (aMCC/AI).”
Temporal Unfolding of Racial Ingroup Bias in Neural Responses to Perceived Dynamic Pain in Others
Pang, C., Zhou, Y., & Han, S. (2023) · Neuroscience Bulletin · doi:10.1007/s12264-023-01102-0 · Cited by 8
“Meta-analyses of fMRI studies of empathy for pain have identified activations in both the OFC/sgACC and MCC that support affective processing during empathy [47, 48].”
Empathy and Modern Technology: A Neuroergonomics Perspective
Sikora-Wachowicz, B., Lewandowska, K., Popek, A., Karwowski, W., & Marek, T. (2015) · Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries · doi:10.1002/hfm.20627 · Cited by 9
Anger and Morality
Dubreuil, B. (2014) · Topoi · doi:10.1007/s11245-014-9238-7 · Cited by 10
Mentalizing and Information Propagation through Social Network: Evidence from a Resting-State-fMRI Study
Zhang, H., & Mo, L. (2016) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01716 · Cited by 8
“Insula is the key node of empathy, especially the feeling of other’s pain (meta analysis from Fan et al., 2011; Lamm et al., 2011).”
Background
Uncovering a Curricular Model of Self-Care in Pediatric Physical Therapist Education
Willgens, A. M., & Hummel, K. (2016) · Journal of Physical Therapy Education · doi:10.1097/00001416-201630040-00008 · Cited by 9
Empathy
Derntl, B., & Regenbogen, C. (2014) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-405172-0.00004-1 · Cited by 8
Brain imaging evidence for why we are numbed by numbers
Ye, Z., Heldmann, M., Slovic, P., & Münte, T. F. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-66234-z · Cited by 10
Callous-unemotional traits in adolescents moderate neural network associations with empathy
Winters, D. E., Pruitt, P. J., Damoiseaux, J. S., & Sakai, J. T. (2021) · Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2021.111429 · Cited by 8
Greater Empathic Abilities and Resting State Brain Connectivity Differences in Psychotherapists Compared to Non-psychotherapists
Olalde-Mathieu, V. E., Sassi, F., Reyes-Aguilar, A., Mercadillo, R. E., Alcauter, S., & Barrios, F. A. (2022) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.04.001 · Cited by 9
The role of culture in empathy : the consequences and explanations of cultural differences in empathy at the affective and cognitive levels
Atkins, D. (2014) · Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) · Cited by 8
The power of pain: The temporal-spatial dynamics of empathy induced by body gestures and facial expressions
Wang, X., Becker, B., & Tong, S. X. (2025) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121148 · Cited by 8
“Despite extensive involvement of neural networks in empathy (Fan et al., 2011), the sources of the temporal dynamics remain elusive.”
The “chapeau de gendarme” sign in focal epilepsy: A systematic review
Moser, K., Cserpán, D., Gennari, A. G., Rüegger, A., Chassoux, F., & Ramantani, G. (2025) · Epileptic Disorders · doi:10.1002/epd2.70048 · Cited by 7
“The anterior insula, known for its role in processing social emotions such as disgust and fear, 22,25 has been implicated in generating this sign.”
Regional and whole-brain neurofunctional alterations during pain empathic processing of physical but not affective pain in migraine patients
Liu, D. C., Li, M., Jiang, H., Mi, Y., Xu, X., Zhou, Y., Hou, Y., Shen, Y., Maes, M. H. J., Xiao, X., et al. (2025) · The Journal of Headache and Pain · doi:10.1186/s10194-025-02051-x · Cited by 7
“Moreover, although our paradigm relied on static visual stimuli, this approach is well-established in neuroimaging research on empathy [19, 33].”
Neural mechanisms of physical and social pain empathy: an activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis of fMRI studies
Zhang, P., Ding, L., Wang, M., & Qiu, S. (2025) · Cerebral Cortex · doi:10.1093/cercor/bhaf227 · Cited by 8
Intrinsic neural network dynamics underlying the ability to down-regulate emotions in male perpetrators of intimate partner violence against women
Amaoui, S., Marín‐Morales, A., Martín-Pérez, C., Pérez-Garcı́a, M., Verdejo‐Román, J., & Morawetz, C. (2023) · Brain Structure and Function · doi:10.1007/s00429-023-02696-x · Cited by 8
“SMA is involved in the creation of mental representations (Kohn et al. 2014), which makes it a core component of empathy and moral evaluation (Fan et al. 2011; Yoder et al. 2015).”
Background
Can people empathize with offenders and victims during violent scenes? Behavioral and brain correlates of affective and cognitive empathy considering victim vs. offender perspective using the Bochumer affective and cognitive empathy task (BACET).
Hernandez‐Pena, L., Weidacker, K., Massau, C., Wetzel, K., Brand, A.-L., Weckes, K., Opwis, M., Schiffer, B., & Kärgel, C. (2023) · Neuropsychologia · doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108784 · Cited by 12
Neural Patterns of Social Pain in the Brain‐Wide Representations Across Social Contexts
Zhang, X., Qing, P., Liu, Q., Liu, C., Liu, L., Gan, X., Fu, K., Lan, C., Zhou, X., Kendrick, K. M., et al. (2025) · Advanced Science · doi:10.1002/advs.202413795 · Cited by 8
An Exploratory Investigation of Functional Network Connectivity of Empathy and Default Mode Networks in a Free-Viewing Task
Vemuri, K., & Bapi, R. S. (2015) · Brain Connectivity · doi:10.1089/brain.2014.0260 · Cited by 9
“…motor, and emotional empathy networks in addition to DMN, based on activation in the areas attributed to the these networks (meta-analysis: Fan et al., 2011; Sabatinelli et al., 2011; lesion study: Blair, 2005; Carr et al., 2003; Craig, 2009; Engen and Singer, 2013; Gazzola et al., 2007;…”
State attachment moderates the maternal-related neural responses to infant faces
Ma, Y., Hu, N., Liu, G., & Chen, X. (2019) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.10.007 · Cited by 7
The Neurobehavioral Mechanisms Underlying Attitudes Toward People With Mental or Physical Illness
Shin, W.-G., Woo, C.-W., Jung, W. H., Kim, H., Lee, T. Y., Jean Decety, A., & Kwon, J. S. (2020) · Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2020.571225 · Cited by 8
“Functional neuroimaging studies have shown that neural processing in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and anterior insula is associated with personal distress (Lawrence et al., 2006; Cheetham et al., 2009; Fan et al., 2011).”
BackgroundResult
Neural correlates of empathy for babies in postpartum women: A longitudinal study
Bak, Y., Nah, Y., Han, S., Lee, S., Kim, J., & Shin, N. (2021) · Human Brain Mapping · doi:10.1002/hbm.25435 · Cited by 9
A Treatment-Response Comparison Study of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Between Standard Treatment of SSRI and Standard Treatment of SSRI Plus Non-dominant Hand-Writing Task in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Boyraz, R. K., Kirpinar, I., Yilmaz, O., Özyurt, O., Kiliçarslan, T., & Aralasmak, A. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.698954 · Cited by 7
Individualized Prediction of Females’ Empathic Concern from Intrinsic Brain Activity within General Network of State Empathy
Zhao, D., Ding, R., Zhang, H., Zhang, N., Hu, L., & Luo, W. (2021) · Cognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.3758/s13415-021-00964-z · Cited by 7

Authors: Fan, Y., Duncan, N. W., de Greck, M., & Northoff, G.
Affiliations: University of Ottawa (CA)
Corresponding author: Northoff, Georg
ORCID: Fan, Yan
Duncan, Niall W.
Northoff, Georg
Venue: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2011-01
Volume: 35
Issue: 3
Pages: 903-911
ISSN: 0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.10.009
OpenAlex: W2088335634
Semantic Scholar: a0ef877b20f7510e11539ab069df023ea45c7501
Cited by: 902
References: 89
Citations by year: 2026: 41 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 56 · 2022: 82 · 2021: 90 · 2020: 77 · 2019: 65 · 2018: 55 · 2017: 67 · 2016: 57 · 2015: 75 · 2014: 58 · 2013: 47 · 2012: 28
FWCI: 3.45
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: Salus Foundation
German Research Foundation
SFB/DFG
Hope of Depression Research Foundation (HDRF)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Empathy and Medical Education
Keywords: empathy, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, supplementary motor area, anterior insula
MeSH terms: Brain, Brain Mapping, Cognition, Empathy, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Neural Pathways, Neuropsychological Tests, Oxygen, Meta-Analysis as Topic

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Is there a core neural network in empathy? An fMRI based quantitative meta-analysis

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