Neuronal and therapeutic perspectives on empathic pain: A rational insight

IF 4.6 2区 医学 Q1 NEUROSCIENCES
Punit Prasanna Kujur, Surendar Ellappan, Amal Chandra Mondal
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Abstract

Empathy is the capacity to experience and understand the feelings of others, thereby playing a key role in a person's mental well-being essentially by promoting kindness and a sense of belongingness to the group. However, too much empathy may result in psychological problems such as empathic distress, compassion fatigue, and burnout, collectively termed empathic pain. Several brain regions are implicated in processing empathic pain perception. Neuroimaging investigations bring in the context of brain structures involved in this emotional exchange, pointing toward the anterior insula (AI) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), indicating an overlap between the neural representation of direct and simulative pain. To discern such overlaps, therapeutic techniques for managing empathic pain require understanding different brain regions and their respective neural networks. At the moment, empathic pain is being treated using various methods, including pharmacological treatments such as antidepressants and psychological treatments such as mindfulness or meditation. For instance, researchers have been exploring the modulatory effects of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and oxytocin on individuals' responses to empathic pain experience. Importantly, this review focuses on the specific brain parts and their unique roles in neurobiological pathways associated with emphatic pain and how shared neural networks play into available treatment options, suggesting possible future health benefits. Such an understanding of empathy can lead to more efficient management of types of care, focusing on enhancing social connections and mental well-being.

Abstract Image

共情疼痛的神经元和治疗观点:理性的洞察。
同理心是一种体验和理解他人感受的能力,因此在一个人的心理健康中起着关键作用,主要是通过促进善良和对群体的归属感。然而,过多的共情可能会导致心理问题,如共情痛苦、同情疲劳和倦怠,统称为共情痛苦。几个大脑区域涉及处理共情疼痛感知。神经影像学研究引入了参与这种情感交流的大脑结构的背景,指向了前岛(AI)和前扣带皮层(ACC),表明直接和模拟疼痛的神经表征之间存在重叠。为了辨别这种重叠,管理移情疼痛的治疗技术需要了解不同的大脑区域及其各自的神经网络。目前,共情性疼痛正在使用各种方法进行治疗,包括抗抑郁药等药物治疗和正念或冥想等心理治疗。例如,研究人员一直在探索神经递质(如血清素、去甲肾上腺素和催产素)对个体对共情疼痛体验的反应的调节作用。重要的是,本综述侧重于特定的大脑部位及其在与强调性疼痛相关的神经生物学通路中的独特作用,以及共享神经网络如何在可用的治疗方案中发挥作用,从而提出可能的未来健康益处。对移情的这种理解可以导致更有效地管理各种护理,重点是加强社会联系和心理健康。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Neuropharmacology
Neuropharmacology 医学-神经科学
CiteScore
10.00
自引率
4.30%
发文量
288
审稿时长
45 days
期刊介绍: Neuropharmacology publishes high quality, original research and review articles within the discipline of neuroscience, especially articles with a neuropharmacological component. However, papers within any area of neuroscience will be considered. The journal does not usually accept clinical research, although preclinical neuropharmacological studies in humans may be considered. The journal only considers submissions in which the chemical structures and compositions of experimental agents are readily available in the literature or disclosed by the authors in the submitted manuscript. Only in exceptional circumstances will natural products be considered, and then only if the preparation is well defined by scientific means. Neuropharmacology publishes articles of any length (original research and reviews).
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