Unraveling the Neurobiology of Empathy and Compassion: Implications for Treatments for Brain Disorders and Human Well-Being: A Workshop

Invited presentations and discussions may:  

• Consider the various definitions and measurements of empathy and compassion across fields.  
• Examine evidence on the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of empathy and compassion, their evolutionary origin, and their role in brain functionality, including in some cases of brain disorders.  
• Explore how factors such as genetics, environment, social interactions, and psychological states influence the development and expression of empathy and compassion. 
• Discuss how different treatments (e.g., behavioral and pharmacological) for brain disorders affect empathy and compassion.  
• Consider how understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of empathy and compassion may be applied in other domains such as healthy workforce practices and to foster human well-being. 

A planning committee will develop the agenda for the workshop, select and invite speakers and discussants, and moderate the discussions. Following the workshop, a proceedings of the presentations and discussions will be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.