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Neural correlates of the core facets of empathy in schizophrenia

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Andreas FinkelmeyerORCiD

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Abstract

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


Publication metadata

Author(s): Derntl B, Finkelmeyer A, Voss B, Eickhoff SB, Kellermann T, Schneider F, Habel U

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Schizophrenia Research

Year: 2012

Volume: 136

Issue: 1-3

Pages: 70-81

Print publication date: 04/02/2012

ISSN (print): 0920-9964

ISSN (electronic): 1573-2509

Publisher: Elsevier BV

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2011.12.018

DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2011.12.018

PubMed id: 22306196


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
Helmholz-Initiative on Systems Biology
1328International Research Training Group (IRTG) of the German Research Foundation (DFG)
KFO 112DFG
R01-MH074457-01A1Human Brain Project
TVN70IZKF

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