Distinct roles of the 'Shared Pain' and 'Theory of Mind' networks in processing others' emotional suffering

► Similar brain activity for directly observing others' pain and written pain stories. ► ROIs tuned to specific characteristics of physical and emotional pain scenarios. ► Secondary sensory regions tuned to physical states; insula to physical pain. ► TPJ and PC tuned to emotional states; dmPFC to emotional pain. ► Thalamic and cingulate regions tuned to pain, regardless of condition.