Brain response to pain, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) computer models. Two brains are shown from the side, front of brains at left. The brain at left is that of a person experiencing pain (active brain areas are yellow/red). The brain at right is that of a person watching someone experience pain, producing a response known as empathy, where they are able to imagine the pain the other person is feeling. The MRI scan confirms that similar brain areas are activated in empathy, but that areas producing the actual sensation of pain (one at top of brain) are not triggered. Results from a study by Singer, published in Science in 2004 (Vol 303).