‘Spectrum of empathy’ found in the brain

September 19, 2006 | Source: NewScientist.com news service

Our ability to empathise with others seems to depend on the action of “mirror neurons” in the brain, according to a new study of neurons in humans that fire when sounds are heard.

In other words, if you hear the noise of someone eating an apple, some of the same neurons fire as when you eat the apple yourself.