Investigation of biomarker for empathic attitude and its effectiveness in counseling situations

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K13488
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Clinical psychology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan University
• Principal Investigator: Kawamichi Hiroaki 首都大学東京, 人間健康科学研究科, 客員研究員 (30596391)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 菅原 翔 生理学研究所, システム脳科学研究領域, 特任助教 (80723428)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): KOIKE TAKAHIKO 生理学研究所, システム脳科学研究領域, 助教 (30540611) ; OGINO YUICHI 群馬大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (20420094)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 共感的態度 / カウンセリング / バイオマーカー / 機能的結合性 / 右前頭葉

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Empathic attitude is defined as understanding others’ emotional states leading to displaying acceptance behavior toward them, thus, is one of major technique of counseling. We conducted dual-fMRI experiments in which 10 same gender pair (20 participants) conducting opinion disclosure paradigm for investigating biomarker of empathic attitude. In the present study, we utilized perceived familiarity change as indirect measure of effective empathic attitude. As a result, we found enhanced functional connectivity between the right inferior frontal area and the right temporoparietal junction. Furthermore, we conducted resting state fMRI of 21 medical employees, who were required to exhibit empathic attitude in interactions with patients. As a result, we found decreased functional connectivity between the right frontal pole and striatum. Taken together, we showed that functional connectivity from frontal regions to other brain regions is possible biomarker of effective empathic attitude.

Free Research Field

社会神経科学