To move or not to move: motor cortical output is enhanced during pain observation regardless of motor preparation state

The current study provides novel results showing an increase motor cortical output, measured via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-induced motor evoked potentials (MEPs), during empathic pain observation regardless of motor preparation state. Interestingly, this finding runs counter to the empathy for pain literature, which often finds a decrease in motor cortical output during empathic pain observation. We discuss potential explanations for this discrepancy and relate these results to the wider empathy for pain literature.

To move or not to move: motor cortical output is enhanced during pain observation regardless of motor preparation state Journal Articles