Unbiased empathy (correct empathic judgment) relies on complex interaction between neural areas implicated in emotion regulation and regions related to pain empathy.

This study explored the functional connectivity among neural networks implicated both in the upregulation and downregulation of empathy for pain.

Overall, 33 healthy subjects were enrolled and screened for neurological history, psychiatric history, and any metal implants that may hinder with scanning. A total of 23 matched colored pictures were utilized that demonstrated hands and feet in non-painful and painful conditions. Every painful condition was matched with a non-painful condition that consisted of similar components (with the exception of painful element).

An instruction to REAPPRAISE (red frame) or to use EMPATHIC WATCH (blue frame) emerged for an extra 2000 ms. After the volunteers watched the scenario, they were presented with a picture illustrating an emotional version morphed between 100% emotion and 100% neutral (happy/pain). An additional 6000 ms were given to the volunteers for evaluating emotional intensity of presented face.

This study revealed the significance of emotion regulation to formulate complex social systems and sheded light on the complex network involved in this process. A functional magnetic resonance imaging-based experiment revealed regulation of one's emotion by means of reappraisal modulated biased emotional intensity ratings after pain manipulation empathy. The task-based assessment indicated elevated activity in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) when the painful emotions were modulated with the aid of reappraisal.

Those empathic feelings that were not regulated led to raised activity bilaterally in supramarginal gyrus and middle frontal gyrus, precuneus, and right parahippocampal gyrus. As per the findings of functional connectivity assessment, the right IFG demonstrates a pivotal role in regulating empathy for pain via its connections with areas in the pain network empathy. Additionally, the connections were regulated as a function of type of regulation utilized.

Emotion regulation plays a key role in empathy for pain. Successful regulation of own emotions can assist to accurately decipher valence and content of emotions of other people.