Transcript Slide 1

By: Shahin
Khayambashi
Völlm et al (2006). Neuronal correlates of theory of mind and empathy: a
functional magnetic resonance imaging study in a nonverbal task.
Neuroimage, 29, 90-98.
Humans are very social species. This is largely due to
our ability to detect cognitive and emotional
processes in other:
•Theory
of Mind: The attribution of mental states such
as desires, intentions, and beliefs to others.
Understanding the mental state of others and using it
to predict their behaviours.
•Empathy:
The ability to infer and share the
emotional experiences of others.
Two theories behind the development of empathy and
theory of mind:
1.
Theory-theory: Result of learning, memory, and
experience.
2.
Simulation theory: Innate and intuitive.
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Recent studies show activation in medial prefrontal cortex,
superior temporal sulcus, and temporal pole during theory of
mind processing.
Recent studies also show activations of temporal and frontal lobe
regions during empathy.
This, in accordance with the discovery of mirror neurons,
provide more support for the simulation theory.
However, there has been some proof of the dissociation of theory of
mind and empathy.
Autism
Psychopathic
populations
The purpose of the this study is to link the two processes and
investigate the neuronal correlates of theory of mind and empathy in
healthy volunteers using a visual cartoon task.
Hypothesis: Both conditions would activate temporal
lobes and medial prefrontal cortex. In addition,
processing of empathic stimuli would also rely on
affective networks, particularly the amygdala.
Procedure:
Subjects:
 Four conditions:
 15, right-handed, healthy
1. Theory of mind.
males.
2. Empathy.
 University students.
3. Physical casualty 1 char.
 Average age: 24.9.
4. Physical casualty 2 char.
 2 subjects later excluded.
 Each subject is tested twice for
 Screened for substance use.
each condition (8 tests).
 IQ within normal range
 Each test contains 5 different
(94-122).
comic strips depicting a short
Materials:
story on the upper half of the
 fMRI images using 1.5T
screen.
Philips Gyroscan ACS NT
 Then two pictures showing
 Comic Strips.
possible outcomes show up on the
 Laptop computer to project
bottom half, only one is correct.
stimuli in fMRI scanner.
Procedure (cont’d):
 Physical 1 control for theory of mind, physical 2 control for empathy.
 Participants had 6s to read initial question, 6s to analyze comic strips,
and 4.5s to answer the outcome.
 Initial questions used to engage the corresponding construct in the
participants:
1. What will the main character do next? (theory of mind)
2. What will make the main character feel better? (empathy)
3. What is most likely to happen next? (physical 1 and physical 2)
 Unanswered outcomes treated as incorrect answers.
 Neural responses theory of mind minus neural responses of physical 1
to reveal increased signal association with theory of mind processing.
 Neural responses empathy minus neural responses of physical 2 to
reveal increased signal association with empathy processing.
Common areas of the brain activated:
 Bilateral temporoparietal junction, temporal poles, inferior
temporal gyri extending from the fusyform gyri, medial
prefrontal cortex, right orbitofrontal cortex, and cerebellum.
Different areas of the brain activated:
 More activation of orbitofrontal cortex in theory of mind
processing.
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More activation of left amygdala in empathy processing.
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Mostly same brain areas activated.
Some difference in activation (orbitofrontal cortex and left
amygdala).
Paracingulate cortex and empathy.
Interactions.
 Emotional and visuospatial processing.
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Right-sided activations and theory of mind
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Psychopathy: Impaired development of amygdala.
Physical 2 too difficult to interpret.
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Right hemisphere strokes
Increased coherence of empathy condition, increased activation.
Empathy vs. social norm.
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Autism and the right lateral
hemisphere?
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Nature Vs. Nurture.
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Compare study with females.
Questions answered incorrectly?
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Conduct study with babies or children.
Why only males?
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Mirror neurons.
Physical 2.
Difficult study, well conducted.