The relationship between trait positive empathy and brain structure: a voxel-based morphometry study

Although studies relating to positive empathy have received increased attention in recent years, no studies have been carried out to explore the neural basis of positive empathy. Using a voxel-based morphometry analysis, this study investigates the relationship between trait positive empathy (as measured by the Positive Empathy Scale) and its association with brain structure in 86 healthy college students. The results indicate that an individual's ability to show positive empathy is positively correlated with the volume of gray matter in the right insula, left anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex. It may be suggested that the differences between the abilities of emotion processing and regulating play important roles in shaping an individual's positive empathy traits from the perspective of brain morphometry.