Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data.

Matthias Zunhammer, Tamás Spisák, Tor D Wager, Ulrike Bingel,

March 2021

Synopsis of Social media discussions

Many posts demonstrate genuine interest and respect for the publication, with phrases like 'fantastic group effort,' 'always interesting,' and 'insightful' revealing a tone of admiration and curiosity. The choice of words emphasizes the study's significance and the collaborative nature of the research, contributing to a perception of moderate impact primarily within neuroscience and medical research contexts.

A
Agreement
 Moderate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the significance of the meta-analysis and recognize its contributions to understanding placebo analgesia, with many expressing pride and appreciation for the research efforts.

I
Interest
 High level of interest

There is high curiosity and relevance, as evidenced by numerous posts highlighting the importance of the study and its connection to ongoing research projects.

E
Engagement
 High engagement

Several discussions reference specific aspects of the study, such as its neural findings and methodological rigor, indicating deep engagement with the material.

I
Impact
 Moderate level of impact

While the discussions underscore the study's importance within the scientific community, the focus remains on academic and research relevance rather than immediate real-world impact.

Social Mentions

YouTube

2 Videos

Twitter

40 Posts

Blogs

5 Articles

News

30 Articles

Reddit

3 Posts

Metrics

Video Views

3

Total Likes

42

Extended Reach

187,336

Social Features

80

Timeline: Posts about article

Top Social Media Posts

Posts referencing the article

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Neural Mechanisms of Placebo Analgesia Revealed by fMRI Meta-Analysis

This study is a meta-analysis of fMRI research to understand how placebo treatments reduce pain, showing that placebo effects lead to decreases in activity in brain regions linked to attention and somatomotor functions. It reveals multiple brain mechanisms involved in placebo analgesia.

Dawa Sherpa

October 11, 2025

3 views

Neural Mechanisms of Placebo Analgesia Revealed by fMRI Meta-Analysis

Neural Mechanisms of Placebo Analgesia Revealed by fMRI Meta-Analysis

This study is a meta-analysis of fMRI research to understand how placebo treatments reduce pain, showing that placebo effects lead to decreases in activity in brain regions linked to attention and somatomotor functions.

Dawa Sherpa

October 11, 2025

0 views

  • Stephan Geuter
    @stephangeuter (Twitter)

    RT @sfb_trr289: We are so happy and proud that our study "Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual part…
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    June 17, 2022

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  • Society for Interdisciplinary Placebo Studies
    @SIPSplacebo (Twitter)

    RT @sfb_trr289: We are so happy and proud that our study "Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual part…
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    June 17, 2022

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  • Dr. Helena Hartmann
    @helenahhartmann (Twitter)

    RT @sfb_trr289: We are so happy and proud that our study "Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual part…
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    June 17, 2022

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  • Bingel Laboratory (Bingellab)
    @bingellab (Twitter)

    RT @sfb_trr289: We are so happy and proud that our study "Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual part…
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    June 17, 2022

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  • SFB/TRR 289 Treatment Expectation
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    We are so happy and proud that our study "Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data" received >12,500 downloads since its publication in @NatureComms! The project is connected to our Z03 project: https://t.co/6T1fruidMQ
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  • Éric Maeker
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    RT @AgingPapers:
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    RT @AgingPapers:
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  • Vitaly Zviagin
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    RT @ResearchHub: Despite the widely-known therapeutic impact of the #placebo effect, little is known about its physiology Zunhammer et al…
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    March 9, 2021

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  • ResearchHub
    @ResearchHub (Twitter)

    Despite the widely-known therapeutic impact of the #placebo effect, little is known about its physiology Zunhammer et al. conducted a meta-analysis of fMRI studies to explore the neural correlates of this mysterious phenomenon https://t.co/NbJSeHnx9H https://t.co/y3Dxcztt3V
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    March 8, 2021

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  • Masa Yamamoto予測誤差が大きい人生を楽しもう
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    RT @rinatie_ceo: Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data @nature https://t.co/jT…
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    RT @rinatie_ceo: Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data @nature https://t.co/jT…
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  • Rina Saltman
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    Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data @nature https://t.co/jTV1WFw43A
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    March 8, 2021

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    RT @AgingPapers:
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    RT @ThePostsynaptic: Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data https://t.co/51IYiH…
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    March 6, 2021

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  • Dan-Mikael Ellingsen
    @dmellingsen (Twitter)

    RT @bingellab: @MZunhammer and @spisaktamas have published their study “Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from i…
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    March 5, 2021

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  • Michael Dow
    @docmike8 (Twitter)

    RT @bingellab: @MZunhammer and @spisaktamas have published their study “Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from i…
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    March 4, 2021

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    RT @ThePostsynaptic: Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data https://t.co/51IYiH…
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  • Paul McCullough
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    Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data https://t.co/51IYiH7xea https://t.co/nMt0fEDPzD
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  • Katharina Schmidt
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    RT @bingellab: @MZunhammer and @spisaktamas have published their study “Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from i…
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  • Dr. Helena Hartmann
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    RT @bingellab: @MZunhammer and @spisaktamas have published their study “Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from i…
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    March 3, 2021

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  • Giacomo Rossettini
    @GiacomoRoss86 (Twitter)

    RT @bingellab: @MZunhammer and @spisaktamas have published their study “Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from i…
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    March 3, 2021

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  • tor wager
    @torwager (Twitter)

    RT @bingellab: @MZunhammer and @spisaktamas have published their study “Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from i…
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    March 3, 2021

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    Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data https://t.co/0sFHW8Tr4c
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    March 3, 2021

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  • Clovis Varangot-Reille
    @ClovisReille (Twitter)

    RT @ppoisbeau: Zunhammer et al (Nat Comm, 2021) "The brain systems underlying placebo analgesia are still insufficiently understood" but al…
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    March 3, 2021

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  • 815wrldtrvlr
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    Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data | Nature Communications https://t.co/zNM8PD2oO7
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    March 3, 2021

  • ppoisbeau
    @ppoisbeau (Twitter)

    Zunhammer et al (Nat Comm, 2021) "The brain systems underlying placebo analgesia are still insufficiently understood" but always interesting to have this one : Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia... https://t.co/0sFHW8Tr4c
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    March 3, 2021

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  • Stefanie Brassen @stefaniebrassen.bsky.social
    @StefanieBrassen (Twitter)

    Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data https://t.co/MB4LAZIUQE
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    March 3, 2021

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  • Bingel Laboratory (Bingellab)
    @bingellab (Twitter)

    @MZunhammer and @spisaktamas have published their study “Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data”. Thanks to @torwager and the Placebo Imaging Consortium for this fantastic group effort! https://t.co/7WizCHMpWt
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    March 3, 2021

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  • Dr. Stuart Fischer
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    Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data | Nature Communications https://t.co/o3C3Peo22G
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    March 3, 2021

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    RT @AMAinsight: Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data | Nature Communications…
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    Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data | Nature Communications https://t.co/ZifPBAnKXU
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    March 2, 2021

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    RT @NeuroPaperBot: Meta-analysis of neural systems underlying placebo analgesia from individual participant fMRI data https://t.co/TUMcEIuo…
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Abstract Synopsis

  • This study is a meta-analysis of fMRI research to understand how placebo treatments reduce pain, showing that placebo effects lead to decreases in activity in brain regions linked to attention and somatomotor functions.
  • The analysis reveals that smaller, widespread reductions in pain-related brain activity happen in areas like the midinsula and posterior insula, and these reductions are associated with actual placebo analgesic effects.
  • The findings also show increased activity in some frontoparietal regions, but with variation across different studies, indicating that placebo analgesia involves multiple brain mechanisms that can differ depending on the context.]