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Brief Communication

Nature Neuroscience 10, 150–151 (1 February 2007) | doi:10.1038/nn1833

Altruism is associated with an increased neural response to agency

Dharol Tankersley , C Jill Stowe & Scott A Huettel

Although the neural mechanisms underlying altruism remain unknown, empathy and its component abilities, such as the perception of the actions and intentions of others, have been proposed as key contributors. Tasks requiring the perception of agency activate the posterior superior temporal cortex (pSTC), particularly in the right hemisphere.