Anterior Cingulate Cortex: pain and empathy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study of potential alterations of empathy in pain patients with Deep Brain Stimulation of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex.
IRAS ID
121591
Contact name
Tipu Z Aziz
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Clinical Trials and Research Governance
Research summary
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is used to relieve the suffering of patients with chronic and otherwise intractable pain. ACC stimulation causes the patient to experience relief from the emotional side of their pain – they are still aware that the pain is there but they do not suffer from it and can therefore live their life the way they used to. This study examines the impact of this procedure on patient’s degree of empathy. Empathy is the capacity to recognize and share feelings that are experienced by another sentient being. Lack of empathy can be an issue in social interaction and family care.
As the affective dimension of pain is modified by DBS (patients are less concerned by their own pain), we aim to assess whether empathy levels are affected in these patients (ie to assess whether they are less concerned by another’s pain). Several scientific studies suggest that the ACC plays a role in empathy for pain, and in recognising that another is in pain, therefore patients will perform two tasks assessing these processes. This study will be the first to perform a direct measurement of empathy from the ACC.
Participants, recruited from the cohort of patients with Deep Brain Stimulation, will see pictures of emotional faces and hands or feet in painful and non-painful situations. During the first part of the study, brain activity in the form of Local Field Potentials, will be recorded from ACC. In the second part, empathy will be assessed both with, and without, ACC stimulation. To define the specific effect of ACC stimulation, patients with stimulation of other targets (brain stem) will also be involved in the project. Whether stimulation of ACC to relieve pain also reduces empathy is of crucial importance for patients and their careers.REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/SC/0302
Date of REC Opinion
5 Sep 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion