This title appears in the Scientific Report :
2012
Please use the identifier:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2011.12.018 in citations.
Neural correlates of the core facets of empathy in schizophrenia
Neural correlates of the core facets of empathy in schizophrenia
Empathy is a multidimensional construct composed of several components such as emotion recognition, emotional perspective taking and affective responsiveness. Even though patients with schizophrenia demonstrate deficits in all core components of this basic social ability, the neural underpinnings of...
Saved in:
Personal Name(s): | Derntl, B. |
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Finkelmeyer, A. / Voss, B. / Eickhoff, S.B. / Kellermann, T. / Schneider, F. / Habel, U. | |
Contributing Institute: |
Strukturelle und funktionelle Organisation des Gehirns; INM-1 |
Published in: | Schizophrenia research, 136 (2012) 1-3, S. 70–81 |
Imprint: |
Amsterdam [u.a.]
Elsevier Science
2012
|
Physical Description: |
70–81 |
DOI: |
10.1016/j.schres.2011.12.018 |
PubMed ID: |
22306196 |
Document Type: |
Journal Article |
Research Program: |
Connectivity and Activity Funktion und Dysfunktion des Nervensystems |
Series Title: |
Schizophrenia Research
136 |
Subject (ZB): | |
Publikationsportal JuSER |
Empathy is a multidimensional construct composed of several components such as emotion recognition, emotional perspective taking and affective responsiveness. Even though patients with schizophrenia demonstrate deficits in all core components of this basic social ability, the neural underpinnings of these dysfunctions are less clear. Using fMRI, we analyzed data from 15 patients meeting the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and 15 matched healthy volunteers performing three separate paradigms tapping the core components of empathy, i.e. emotion recognition, perspective taking and affective responsiveness. Behavioral data analysis indicated a significant empathic deficit in patients, reflected in worse performance in all three domains. Analysis of functional data revealed hypoactivation in a fronto-temporo-parietal network including the amygdala in patients. Moreover, amygdala activation correlated negatively with severity of negative symptoms. The results suggest that schizophrenia patients not only suffer from a broad range of emotional deficits but also show cortical and subcortical abnormalities, extending previous findings on fronto-temporal cortical dysfunctions. Since empathy is related to psychosocial functioning and hence of high clinical relevance in schizophrenia, a more detailed understanding of the exact nature of these impairments is mandatory. |