Real-time imaging of cortical areas involved in the generation of increases in skin sympathetic nerve activity when viewing emotionally charged images

► Skin sympathetic and brain activity were measured concurrently during emotions. ► Increased sympathetic activity was associated with changes in brain activity. ► Brain activity increased in the amygdala, pons, thalamus, accumbens, and cerebellum. ► Brain activity decreased in the orbitofrontal, frontal and precuneus cortices. ► These data reveal brain sites involved in generating autonomic responses during emotions.