Downsides to the empathic brain? A review of neural correlates of empathy in major depressive disorder

In how far does aberrant empathy relate to mental disorders, for example major depressive disorder? In collaboration with Nina Alexander (University of Marburg) we approached this research question in our review on neural correlates of empathy in major depression. Study findings indicate a complex and potentially state-dependent association, comprising both elevated and lower neural activity in empathy-related brain regions such as the inferior frontal gyri, bilateral anterior insulae, and cingulate areas. Predominantly, while elevated neural activity and elevated self-reports of empathic distress show during acute episodes, lower activity in these areas seems to be induced by antidepressant treatment or remission. At remission, accompanying behavioral results likewise indicate a reduced negativity-bias in empathic processing compared to acute states of MDD.

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