Cerebral basis for the mental representation of pain

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This research program examines the brain mechanisms underlying the mental representation with a particular focus on the neurobehavioral determinants of pain communication. Recent studies have suggested that the perception of pain in others relies on the activation of pain-related brain networks in the observer, providing some support to a neural-simulation theory of empathy. Functional imaging methods are used in this research program to investigate the brain mechanisms involved in the perception and interpretation of the facial expression of pain. Experiments will be conducted examine brain responses to facial expressions of pain, and the impact of the perception of pain in other on pain sensitivity in the observer. Additional studies will look at the interactions between brain networks underlying pain perception and motor-networks involved in the regulation of facial expression when pain is felt. These studies will contribute to the understanding of the brain mechanisms underlying the receptive and expressive sides of pain communication.