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Prof Semir Zeki
Professor of Neuroaesthetics
Cell & Developmental Biology
Div of Biosciences
- Joined UCL
- 1st Apr 1966
Research summary
Field A1 of the medial orbito-frontal cortex (A1
mOFC), shown in yellow, red and green. This is part of the emotional brain and
experience of the beautiful, regardless of its source (i.e. whether visual,
musical, mathematical, moral, joyful or sorrowful) always correlates with
activity in this part of the brain. The intensity of activity there is
proportional to the declared intensity of the experience, the more beautiful a
stimulus the more intense the activity in A1 mOFC. The same general part of the
brain is active during pleasurable and rewarding experiences