Localizing Pain Matrix and Theory of Mind networks with both verbal and non-verbal stimuli

Functional localizer tasks allow researchers to identify brain regions in each individual's brain, using a combination of anatomical and functional constraints. In this study, we compare three social cognitive localizer tasks, designed to efficiently identify regions in the "Pain Matrix," recruited in response to a person's physical pain, and the "Theory of Mind network," recruited in response to a person's mental states (i.e. beliefs and emotions). Participants performed three tasks: first, the verbal false-belief stories task; second, a verbal task including stories describing physical pain versus emotional suffering; and third, passively viewing a non-verbal animated movie, which included segments depicting physical pain and beliefs and emotions. All three localizers were efficient in identifying replicable, stable networks in individual subjects. The consistency across tasks makes all three tasks viable localizers. Nevertheless, there were small reliable differences in the location of the regions and the pattern of activity within regions, hinting at more specific representations. The new localizers go beyond those currently available: first, they simultaneously identify two functional networks with no additional scan time, and second, the non-verbal task extends the populations in whom functional localizers can be applied. These localizers will be made publicly available.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 1R01 MH096914-01A1

Empathic control through coordinated interaction of amygdala, theory of mind and extended pain matrix brain regions

Brain regions in the “pain matrix”, can be activated by observing or reading about others in physical pain. In previous research, we found that reading stories about others' emotional suffering, by contrast, recruits a different group of brain regions mostly associated with thinking about others' minds. In the current study, we examined the neural circuits responsible for deliberately regulating empathic responses to others' pain and suffering. In Study 1, a sample of college-aged participants (n = 18) read stories about physically painful and emotionally distressing events during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), while either actively empathizing with the main character or trying to remain objective. In Study 2, the same experiment was performed with professional social workers, who are chronically exposed to human suffering (n = 21). Across both studies activity in the amygdala was associated with empathic regulation towards others' emotional pain, but not their physical pain. In addition, psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis and Granger causal modeling (GCM) showed that amygdala activity while reading about others' emotional pain was preceded by and positively coupled with activity in the theory of mind brain regions, and followed by and negatively coupled with activity in regions associated with physical pain and bodily sensations. Previous work has shown that the amygdala is critically involved in the deliberate control of self-focused distress — the current results extend the central importance of amygdala activity to the control of other-focused empathy, but only when considering others' emotional pain.United States. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ((DARPA) #D12AP00077

Poèmes

Edition for high voice. --- French and English words. --- Beau soir ; Mandoline ; La chevelure ; Romance / Claude Debussy -- Lied maritime : op. 43 / Vincent d'Indy -- L'heureux vagabond / Alfred Bruneau -- Les berceaux : op. 23, no. 1 / Gabriel Fauré -- L'invitation au voyage ; Chanson triste / Henri Duparc -- A Lucette / G. Pierné -- Première danse / J. Massenet -- Albaÿde / Ch.M. Widor -- Chère nuit / Alfred Bachelet -- Vieille chanson / Georges Bizet -- Les papillons / Ernest Chausson -- Haï luli / Arthur Coquard -- Bonjour, Suzon! / Léo Delibes -- Après un rêve / Gabriel Fauré -- Le charme : op. 2, no. 2 / Ernest Chausson -- Le mariage des roses / César Franck -- Brises d'autrefois / Georges Hüe -- Les roses d'Ispahan ; Nell : op. 18, no. 1 ; Rencontre : op. 21, no. 1 / Gabriel Fauré -- L'esclave / Édouard Lalo -- Soir : op. 74, no. 2 / Gabriel Fauré -- La chanson de l'alouette / Édouard Lalo -- Sur une tombe / Guillaume Lekeu -- Le Nil / Xavier Leroux -- Le roitelet ; Les trois prières ; Psyché / E. Paladilhe -- La solitaire ; Le lever de la lune ; La cloche / C. Saint-Saëns -- Le fidèle cœur / Paul Vidal -- Je ne veux pas autre chose / Ch.M Widor -- Ariette / Paul Vidal -- Nuit d'étoiles / Ch.M. Widor