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Brief Communication

Nature Neuroscience 10, 815–816 (1 July 2007) | doi:10.1038/nn1926

Mirror-touch synesthesia is linked with empathy

Michael J Banissy & Jamie Ward

Watching another person being touched activates a similar neural circuit to actual touch and, for some people with 'mirror-touch' synesthesia, can produce a felt tactile sensation on their own body. In this study, we provide evidence for the existence of this type of synesthesia and show that it correlates with heightened empathic ability.