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Hyperscanning Alone Cannot Prove Causality. Multibrain Stimulation Can. Trends Cogn Sci 2020; 25:96-99. [PMID: 33293210 PMCID: PMC7994246 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Brains that work together, couple together through interbrain synchrony. Does interbrain synchrony causally facilitate social interaction? This question cannot be answered by simply recording from multiple brains (hyperscanning). It instead requires causal protocols entailing their simultaneous stimulation (multibrain stimulation). We highlight promising findings and future horizons of this nascent field.
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52
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Cardellicchio P, Dolfini E, Fadiga L, D'Ausilio A. Parallel fast and slow motor inhibition processes in Joint Action coordination. Cortex 2020; 133:346-357. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2020.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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53
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Dikker S, Michalareas G, Oostrik M, Serafimaki A, Kahraman HM, Struiksma ME, Poeppel D. Crowdsourcing neuroscience: Inter-brain coupling during face-to-face interactions outside the laboratory. Neuroimage 2020; 227:117436. [PMID: 33039619 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
When we feel connected or engaged during social behavior, are our brains in fact "in sync" in a formal, quantifiable sense? Most studies addressing this question use highly controlled tasks with homogenous subject pools. In an effort to take a more naturalistic approach, we collaborated with art institutions to crowdsource neuroscience data: Over the course of 5 years, we collected electroencephalogram (EEG) data from thousands of museum and festival visitors who volunteered to engage in a 10-min face-to-face interaction. Pairs of participants with various levels of familiarity sat inside the Mutual Wave Machine-an artistic neurofeedback installation that translates real-time correlations of each pair's EEG activity into light patterns. Because such inter-participant EEG correlations are prone to noise contamination, in subsequent offline analyses we computed inter-brain coupling using Imaginary Coherence and Projected Power Correlations, two synchrony metrics that are largely immune to instantaneous, noise-driven correlations. When applying these methods to two subsets of recorded data with the most consistent protocols, we found that pairs' trait empathy, social closeness, engagement, and social behavior (joint action and eye contact) consistently predicted the extent to which their brain activity became synchronized, most prominently in low alpha (~7-10 Hz) and beta (~20-22 Hz) oscillations. These findings support an account where shared engagement and joint action drive coupled neural activity and behavior during dynamic, naturalistic social interactions. To our knowledge, this work constitutes a first demonstration that an interdisciplinary, real-world, crowdsourcing neuroscience approach may provide a promising method to collect large, rich datasets pertaining to real-life face-to-face interactions. Additionally, it is a demonstration of how the general public can participate and engage in the scientific process outside of the laboratory. Institutions such as museums, galleries, or any other organization where the public actively engages out of self-motivation, can help facilitate this type of citizen science research, and support the collection of large datasets under scientifically controlled experimental conditions. To further enhance the public interest for the out-of-the-lab experimental approach, the data and results of this study are disseminated through a website tailored to the general public (wp.nyu.edu/mutualwavemachine).
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Dikker
- Max Planck - NYU Center for Language, Music and Emotion, New York, USA; Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, USA; Department of Clinical Psychology, Free University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | - Marijn E Struiksma
- Department of Language and Communication, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - David Poeppel
- Max Planck - NYU Center for Language, Music and Emotion, New York, USA; Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, USA
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54
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Kingsbury L, Hong W. A Multi-Brain Framework for Social Interaction. Trends Neurosci 2020; 43:651-666. [PMID: 32709376 PMCID: PMC7484406 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2020.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Social interaction can be seen as a dynamic feedback loop that couples action, reaction, and internal cognitive processes across individual agents. A fuller understanding of the social brain requires a description of how the neural dynamics across coupled brains are linked and how they coevolve over time. We elaborate a multi-brain framework that considers social interaction as an integrated network of neural systems that dynamically shape behavior, shared cognitive states, and social relationships. We describe key findings from multi-brain experiments in humans and animal models that shed new light on the function of social circuits in health and disease. Finally, we discuss recent progress in elucidating the cellular-level mechanisms underlying inter-brain neural dynamics and outline key areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyle Kingsbury
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Weizhe Hong
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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55
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Rauchbauer B, Grosbras MH. Developmental trajectory of interpersonal motor alignment: Positive social effects and link to social cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:411-425. [PMID: 32783968 PMCID: PMC7415214 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Interpersonal motor alignment (IMA) has positive effects on healthy social life. IMA - mimicry, synchrony, automatic imitation - is studied throughout development. It relies on motor resonance brain mechanisms identified throughout development. It is modulated by contextual and personal factors. IMA is underinvestigated in adolescence, yet it may aid to enhance resilience.
Interpersonal motor alignment is a ubiquitous behavior in daily social life. It is a building block for higher social cognition, including empathy and mentalizing and promotes positive social effects. It can be observed as mimicry, synchrony and automatic imitation, to name a few. These phenomena rely on motor resonance processes, i.e., a direct link between the perception of an action and its execution. While a considerable literature debates its underlying mechanisms and measurement methods, the question of how motor alignment comes about and changes in ontogeny all the way until adulthood, is rarely discussed specifically. In this review we will focus on the link between interpersonal motor alignment, positive social effects and social cognition in infants, children, and adolescents, demonstrating that this link is present early on in development. Yet, in reviewing the existing literature pertaining to social psychology and developmental social cognitive neuroscience, we identify a knowledge gap regarding the healthy developmental changes in interpersonal motor alignment especially in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Rauchbauer
- Laboratoire de Neuroscience Cognitives, UMR 7291, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, 3 Place Victor-Hugo, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, France; Laboratoire Parole et Langage, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, 5 Avenue Pasteur, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France; Institut de Neuroscience de la Timone, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, Faculté de Médecine, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France.
| | - Marie-Hélène Grosbras
- Laboratoire de Neuroscience Cognitives, UMR 7291, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, 3 Place Victor-Hugo, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, France
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56
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Interpersonal brain synchronization with instructor compensates for learner's sleep deprivation in interactive learning. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 191:114111. [PMID: 32569629 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances shifted the focus on single-brain functioning toward two-brain communication during learning interactions, following the demonstration that interpersonal brain synchronization (IBS) can track instructor-learner information exchange. Here, we investigated (i) whether sleep deprivation (SD) that potentially impacts both social interactions and learning abilities modulates IBS, and (ii) conversely whether and to what extent IBS might compensate for SD-related learning deficits. Instructors (always with regular sleep, RS) were asked to teach numerical reasoning strategies to learners (either SD or RS), during which the activity of both brains was simultaneously recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). SD learners initially performed below their baseline level, worse than RS learners, but learning improvement was comparable between RS and SD conditions after learning with the instructor. IBS within the instructor-learner dyads was higher in the SD (vs. RS) condition in the left inferior frontal cortex. In addition, clustered IBS (estimated by nonnegative matrix factorization) was correlated with performance improvement. Finally, Granger Causality analyses revealed biased causality with higher instructor-to-learner than learner-to-instructor directionality in brain signal processing. Together, these results indicate that SD-related learning deficits can to some extent be compensated via interactions with an instructor, as reflected by increased IBS and preserved learning ability. It suggests an essential role of the instructor in driving synchrony between teaching and SD learning brains during interactions.
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57
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Valencia AL, Froese T. What binds us? Inter-brain neural synchronization and its implications for theories of human consciousness. Neurosci Conscious 2020; 2020:niaa010. [PMID: 32547787 PMCID: PMC7288734 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niaa010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between neural oscillations and functional integration is widely recognized in the study of human cognition. Large-scale synchronization of neural activity has also been proposed as the neural basis of consciousness. Intriguingly, a growing number of studies in social cognitive neuroscience reveal that phase synchronization similarly appears across brains during meaningful social interaction. Moreover, this inter-brain synchronization has been associated with subjective reports of social connectedness, engagement, and cooperativeness, as well as experiences of social cohesion and ‘self-other merging’. These findings challenge the standard view of human consciousness as essentially first-person singular and private. We therefore revisit the recent controversy over the possibility of extended consciousness and argue that evidence of inter-brain synchronization in the fastest frequency bands overcomes the hitherto most convincing sceptical position. If this proposal is on the right track, our understanding of human consciousness would be profoundly transformed, and we propose a method to test this proposal experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lucía Valencia
- Psychobiology and Neuroscience Department, Faculty of Psychology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.,Embodied Cognitive Science Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Tom Froese
- Embodied Cognitive Science Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
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58
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Dumas G, Moreau Q, Tognoli E, Kelso JAS. The Human Dynamic Clamp Reveals the Fronto-Parietal Network Linking Real-Time Social Coordination and Cognition. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:3271-3285. [PMID: 31867672 PMCID: PMC7197204 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
How does the brain allow us to interact with others? Social neuroscience has already provided some answers to these questions but has tended to treat high-level, cognitive interpretations of social behavior separately from the sensorimotor mechanisms upon which they rely. The goal here is to identify the underlying neural processes and mechanisms linking sensorimotor coordination and intention attribution. We combine the human dynamic clamp, a novel paradigm for studyingrealistic social behavior, with high-resolution electroencephalography. The collection of humanness and intention attribution reports, kinematics, and neural data affords an opportunity to relate brain activity to the ongoing social behavior. Behavioral results demonstrate that sensorimotor coordination influences the judgments of cooperativeness and humanness. Analysis of brain dynamics reveals two distinct networks related to the integration of visuo-motor information from self and other which overlap over the right parietal region. Furthermore, judgment of humanness and cooperation of others modulate the functional connectivity between this right parietal hub and the prefrontal cortex. These results reveal how distributed neural dynamics integrates information from "low-level" sensorimotor mechanisms and "high-level" social cognition to support the realistic social behaviors that play out in real time during interactive scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Dumas
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France
- Human Brain and Behavior Laboratory, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, FL, USA
| | - Q Moreau
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00100 Rome, Italy
| | - E Tognoli
- Human Brain and Behavior Laboratory, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, FL, USA
| | - J A S Kelso
- Human Brain and Behavior Laboratory, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, FL, USA
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, Ulster University, Derry, BT48 7JL, UK
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59
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Czeszumski A, Eustergerling S, Lang A, Menrath D, Gerstenberger M, Schuberth S, Schreiber F, Rendon ZZ, König P. Hyperscanning: A Valid Method to Study Neural Inter-brain Underpinnings of Social Interaction. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:39. [PMID: 32180710 PMCID: PMC7059252 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Social interactions are a crucial part of human life. Understanding the neural underpinnings of social interactions is a challenging task that the hyperscanning method has been trying to tackle over the last two decades. Here, we review the existing literature and evaluate the current state of the hyperscanning method. We review the type of methods (fMRI, M/EEG, and fNIRS) that are used to measure brain activity from more than one participant simultaneously and weigh their pros and cons for hyperscanning. Further, we discuss different types of analyses that are used to estimate brain networks and synchronization. Lastly, we present results of hyperscanning studies in the context of different cognitive functions and their relations to social interactions. All in all, we aim to comprehensively present methods, analyses, and results from the last 20 years of hyperscanning research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Czeszumski
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Sara Eustergerling
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Anne Lang
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - David Menrath
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | | | - Susanne Schuberth
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Felix Schreiber
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | | | - Peter König
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.,Institut für Neurophysiologie und Pathophysiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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60
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Pan Y, Cheng X. Two-Person Approaches to Studying Social Interaction in Psychiatry: Uses and Clinical Relevance. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:301. [PMID: 32390881 PMCID: PMC7193689 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Social interaction is ubiquitous in human society. The two-person approach-a new, powerful tool to study information exchange and social behaviors-aims to characterize the behavioral dynamics and neural mechanisms of real-time social interactions. In this review, we discuss the benefits of two-person approaches compared to those for conventional, single-person approaches. We describe measures and paradigms that model social interaction in three dimensions (3-D), including eye-to-eye, body-to-body, and brain-to-brain relationships. We then discuss how these two-person measures and paradigms are used in psychiatric conditions (e.g., autism, mood disorders, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, and psychotherapy). Furthermore, the advantages of a two-person approach (e.g., dual brain stimulation, multi-person neurofeedback) in clinical interventions are described. Finally, we discuss the methodological and translational challenges surrounding the application of two-person approaches in psychiatry, as well as prospects for future two-/multi-person studies. We conclude that two-person approaches serve as useful additions to the range of behavioral and neuroscientific methods available to assess social interaction in psychiatric settings, for both diagnostic techniques and complementary interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafeng Pan
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaojun Cheng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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61
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Markova G, Nguyen T, Hoehl S. Neurobehavioral Interpersonal Synchrony in Early Development: The Role of Interactional Rhythms. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2078. [PMID: 31620046 PMCID: PMC6759699 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Social interactions are essential for understanding others' actions and their mental and affective states. Specifically, interpersonal coordination - also referred to as synchrony - allows actors to adjust their behaviors to one another and thus demonstrate their connectedness to each other. Much behavioral research has demonstrated the primacy of mutually synchronized social exchanges in early development. Additionally, new methodological advances now allow us to examine interpersonal synchrony not only at the behavioral and physiological but also neural level. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how infants and their caregivers actually achieve interpersonal synchrony in their exchanges. Here we discuss recent evidence showing that adults provide rhythmical information during early social interactions with their infants, such as affective touch and singing. We propose that entrainment to these social rhythms underlies the formation of interpersonal synchrony and thus stimulates reciprocal interactions between infants and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Markova
- Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement and Intervention, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Trinh Nguyen
- Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement and Intervention, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefanie Hoehl
- Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement and Intervention, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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62
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Chang A, Bosnyak DJ, Trainor LJ. Rhythmicity facilitates pitch discrimination: Differential roles of low and high frequency neural oscillations. Neuroimage 2019; 198:31-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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63
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Novembre G, Pawar VM, Kilintari M, Bufacchi RJ, Guo Y, Rothwell JC, Iannetti GD. The effect of salient stimuli on neural oscillations, isometric force, and their coupling. Neuroimage 2019; 198:221-230. [PMID: 31085301 PMCID: PMC6610333 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival in a suddenly-changing environment requires animals not only to detect salient stimuli, but also to promptly respond to them by initiating or revising ongoing motor processes. We recently discovered that the large vertex brain potentials elicited by sudden supramodal stimuli are strongly coupled with a multiphasic modulation of isometric force, a phenomenon that we named cortico-muscular resonance (CMR). Here, we extend our investigation of the CMR to the time-frequency domain. We show that (i) both somatosensory and auditory stimuli evoke a number of phase-locked and non-phase-locked modulations of EEG spectral power. Remarkably, (ii) some of these phase-locked and non-phase-locked modulations are also present in the Force spectral power. Finally, (iii) EEG and Force time-frequency responses are correlated in two distinct regions of the power spectrum. An early, low-frequency region (∼4 Hz) reflects the previously-described coupling between the phase-locked EEG vertex potential and force modulations. A late, higher-frequency region (beta-band, ∼20 Hz) reflects a second coupling between the non-phase-locked increase of power observed in both EEG and Force. In both time-frequency regions, coupling was maximal over the sensorimotor cortex contralateral to the hand exerting the force, suggesting an effect of the stimuli on the tonic corticospinal drive. Thus, stimulus-induced CMR occurs across at least two different types of cortical activities, whose functional significance in relation to the motor system should be investigated further. We propose that these different types of corticomuscular coupling are important to alter motor behaviour in response to salient environmental events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Novembre
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London (UCL), UK; Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy.
| | - Vijay M Pawar
- Department of Computer Science, University College London (UCL), UK
| | - Marina Kilintari
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London (UCL), UK
| | - Rory J Bufacchi
- Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Yifei Guo
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London (UCL), UK; Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gian Domenico Iannetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London (UCL), UK; Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
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64
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Empathic perspective taking promotes interpersonal coordination through music. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12255. [PMID: 31439866 PMCID: PMC6706439 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48556-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Coordinated behavior promotes collaboration among humans. To shed light upon this relationship, we investigated whether and how interpersonal coordination is promoted by empathic perspective taking (EPT). In a joint music-making task, pairs of participants rotated electronic music-boxes, producing two streams of musical sounds that were meant to be played synchronously. Participants – who were not musically trained – were assigned to high and low EPT groups based on pre-experimental assessments using a standardized personality questionnaire. Results indicated that high EPT pairs were generally more accurate in synchronizing their actions. When instructed to lead the interaction, high and low EPT leaders were equally cooperative with followers, making their performance tempo more regular, presumably in order to increase their predictability and help followers to synchronize. Crucially, however, high EPT followers were better able to use this information to predict leaders’ behavior and thus improve interpersonal synchronization. Thus, empathic perspective taking promotes interpersonal coordination by enhancing accuracy in predicting others’ behavior while leaving the aptitude for cooperation unaltered. We argue that such predictive capacity relies on a sensorimotor mechanism responsible for simulating others’ actions in an anticipatory manner, leading to behavioral advantages that may impact social cognition on a broad scale.
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65
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Gvirts HZ, Perlmutter R. What Guides Us to Neurally and Behaviorally Align With Anyone Specific? A Neurobiological Model Based on fNIRS Hyperscanning Studies. Neuroscientist 2019; 26:108-116. [PMID: 31296135 DOI: 10.1177/1073858419861912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
An emerging body of hyperscanning functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) research shows interbrain neural synchrony (IBS) during different forms of social interaction. Here we review the recent literature and propose several factors that facilitate IBS, leading us to ask the following question: In a world full of people and opportunities to synchronize with them, what directs our neural and behavioral alignment with anyone specific? We suggest that IBS between what we deem the "mutual social attention systems" of interacting partners-that is, the coupling between participants' temporoparietal junctions and/or prefrontal cortices-facilitates and enhances the ability to tune in to the specific interaction, its participants and its goals. We propose that this process is linked to social alignment, reinforcing one another to facilitate successful and lucrative social interactions. We further suggest that neurochemical mechanisms of dopamine and oxytocin underlie the activation of this suggested loop. Finally, we suggest possible directions for future studies, emphasizing the need to develop a brain-to-brain neurofeedback system with IBS between the mutual social attention systems of the participants as the direct regulating target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hila Z Gvirts
- The Department of Behavioral Sciences and Psychology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Rotem Perlmutter
- The Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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66
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Pezzulo G, Donnarumma F, Dindo H, D'Ausilio A, Konvalinka I, Castelfranchi C. The body talks: Sensorimotor communication and its brain and kinematic signatures. Phys Life Rev 2019; 28:1-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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67
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Liu S, Ma R, Liu X, Zhang C, Chen Y, Jin C, Wang H, Cui J, Zhang X. Using Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) to Improve Romantic Relationships Can Be a Promising Approach. Front Psychol 2019; 10:365. [PMID: 30863342 PMCID: PMC6399378 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The romantic relationship refers to the specific relationship in which partners are dependent upon each other to obtain satisfactory outcomes and facilitate the pursuit of their most important needs and goals. Satisfying romantic relationships is a strong predictor of better psychological well-being, better physical health, and longer life expectancy. However, romantic relationships are not all smooth-sailing and lovers are often confronted with a variety of unavoidable issues that constantly challenge the stability of their romantic relationships. Dissatisfying romantic relationships are harmful and even destructive. Dyads of lovers engage in a variety of efforts to protect and maintain their romantic relationships based on qualitative research methods including theories- and psychological consultation-based approaches. Unfortunately, those existing approaches do not seem to effectively improve romantic relationships. Thus, it is necessary to seek an efficient approach regulating dyads of lovers in romantic relationships simultaneously. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with advantages over existing approaches satisfies this purpose. We discuss the practicability of tACS in detail, as well as why and how tACS can be utilized to improve romantic relationships. In summary, this review firstly introduced the concept of romantic relationship and the necessity of enhancing it. Then, it discussed methods to improve romantic relationships including some existing approaches. This review next discussed the practicability of using tACS to improve romantic relationships. Finally, it shone a spotlight on potential future directions for researches aiming to improve romantic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Liu
- School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ru Ma
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoming Liu
- School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- School of Foreign Languages, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yijun Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chenggong Jin
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hangwei Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jiangtian Cui
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaochu Zhang
- School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Hefei Medical Research Center on Alcohol Addiction, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China
- Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
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68
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Era V, Boukarras S, Candidi M. Neural correlates of action monitoring and mutual adaptation during interpersonal motor coordination: Comment on "The body talks: Sensorimotor communication and its brain and kinematic signatures" by G. Pezzulo et al. Phys Life Rev 2019; 28:43-45. [PMID: 30718195 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2019.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Era
- SCNLab, Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00100, Rome, Italy.
| | - Sarah Boukarras
- SCNLab, Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00100, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Candidi
- SCNLab, Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00100, Rome, Italy.
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69
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Fitzpatrick P, Mitchell T, Schmidt RC, Kennedy D, Frazier JA. Alpha band signatures of social synchrony. Neurosci Lett 2019; 699:24-30. [PMID: 30684678 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Previous research has reported changes in mu rhythm, the central rhythm of the alpha frequency band, in both intentional and spontaneous interpersonal coordination. The current study was designed to extend existing findings on social synchrony to the pendulum swinging task and simultaneously measured time unfolding behavioral synchrony and EEG estimation of mu activity during spontaneous, intentional in-phase and intentional anti-phase interpersonal coordination. As expected, the behavioral measures of synchrony demonstrated the expected pattern of weak synchronization for spontaneous coordination, moderate synchronization for intentional anti-phase coordination, and strong synchronization for in-phase coordination. With respect to the EEG measures, we found evidence for mu enhancement for spontaneous coordination in contrast to mu suppression for intentional coordination (both in phase and anti-phase), with higher levels of synchronization associated with higher levels of mu suppression in the right hemisphere. The implications of the research findings and methodology for understanding the underlying mechanisms contributing to social problems in psychological disorders, leader-follower relationships, and inter-brain dynamics are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Teresa Mitchell
- Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA; Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - R C Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - David Kennedy
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jean A Frazier
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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70
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Era V, Candidi M, Gandolfo M, Sacheli LM, Aglioti SM. Inhibition of left anterior intraparietal sulcus shows that mutual adjustment marks dyadic joint-actions in humans. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2018; 13:492-500. [PMID: 29660090 PMCID: PMC6007351 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsy022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Creating real-life dynamic contexts to study interactive behaviors is a fundamental challenge for the social neuroscience of interpersonal relations. Real synchronic interpersonal motor interactions involve online, inter-individual mutual adaptation (the ability to adapt one’s movements to those of another in order to achieve a shared goal). In order to study the contribution of the left anterior Intra Parietal Sulcus (aIPS) (i.e. a region supporting motor functions) to mutual adaptation, here, we combined a behavioral grasping task where pairs of participants synchronized their actions when performing mutually adaptive imitative and complementary movements, with the inhibition of activity of aIPS via non-invasive brain stimulation. This approach allowed us to investigate whether aIPS supports online complementary and imitative interactions. Behavioral results showed that inhibition of aIPS selectively impairs pair performance during complementary compared to imitative interactions. Notably, this effect depended on pairs’ mutual adaptation skills and was higher for pairs composed of participants who were less capable of adapting to each other. Thus, we provide the first causative evidence for a role of the left aIPS in supporting mutually adaptive interactions and show that the inhibition of the neural resources of one individual of a pair is compensated at the dyadic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Era
- SCNLab, Department of Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.,IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00100 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Candidi
- SCNLab, Department of Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.,IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00100 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Gandolfo
- SCNLab, Department of Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.,IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00100 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Maria Sacheli
- IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00100 Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology and Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMi), University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Maria Aglioti
- SCNLab, Department of Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.,IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00100 Rome, Italy
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71
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Interpersonal synchronization of inferior frontal cortices tracks social interactive learning of a song. Neuroimage 2018; 183:280-290. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
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72
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Liu D, Liu S, Liu X, Zhang C, Li A, Jin C, Chen Y, Wang H, Zhang X. Interactive Brain Activity: Review and Progress on EEG-Based Hyperscanning in Social Interactions. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1862. [PMID: 30349495 PMCID: PMC6186988 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
When individuals interact with others, perceived information is transmitted among their brains. The EEG-based hyperscanning technique, which provides an approach to explore dynamic brain activities between two or more interactive individuals and their underlying neural mechanisms, has been applied to study different aspects of social interactions since 2010. Recently there has been an increase in research on EEG-based hyperscanning of social interactions. This paper summarizes the application of EEG-based hyperscanning on the dynamic brain activities during social interactions according to the experimental designs and contents, discusses the possibility of applying inter-brain synchrony to social communication systems and analyzes the contributions and the limitations of these investigations. Furthermore, this paper sheds light on some new challenges to future EEG-based hyperscanning studies and the emerging field of EEG-based hyperscanning for pursuing the broader research field of social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Difei Liu
- School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Department of Education, Hefei University, Hefei, China
| | - Shen Liu
- School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoming Liu
- School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,School of Foreign Languages, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Aosika Li
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chenggong Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yijun Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hangwei Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaochu Zhang
- School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Hefei Medical Research Center on Alcohol Addiction, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China.,Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
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73
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Reindl V, Gerloff C, Scharke W, Konrad K. Brain-to-brain synchrony in parent-child dyads and the relationship with emotion regulation revealed by fNIRS-based hyperscanning. Neuroimage 2018; 178:493-502. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.05.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
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74
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Kawasaki M, Kitajo K, Yamaguchi Y. Sensory-motor synchronization in the brain corresponds to behavioral synchronization between individuals. Neuropsychologia 2018; 119:59-67. [PMID: 30055179 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral rhythms between individuals are known to spontaneously synchronize through social interactions; however, it remains unclear whether inter-brain synchronization emerges with this behavioral synchronization in the case of anti-phase coordination with other's behavior (e.g. turn-taking). In this study, we simultaneously recorded electroencephalograms (EEGs) we simultaneously recorded electroencephalograms (EEGs) from 2 participants as 1 pair (in total, 34 right-handed participants as 17 pairs) during an alternate tapping task in which pairs of participants alternated tapping a key with their right finger. Participants sat facing computer displays and were asked to match their partners' tapping intervals using visual feedback that was presented on the displays. Based on their ability to synchronize, we divided participants into Good performance and Poor performance groups. In both groups, wavelet analyses of EEG data revealed alpha-(approximately 12 Hz) and beta-(approximately 20 Hz) amplitude modulation in the left motor areas. Interestingly, both alpha and beta amplitudes were correlated between individuals from the Good group, but not from the Poor group. Moreover, while the Good group showed intra-brain and inter-brain alpha-phase synchronization (about 12 Hz) within the posterior brain areas (i.e., visual areas) and the central brain areas (i.e., motor areas), the Poor group did not. These results suggest that inter-brain synchronization may play an important role in coordinating one's behavioral rhythms with those of others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Kawasaki
- Department of Intelligent Interaction Technology, Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
| | - Keiichi Kitajo
- RIKEN CBS-TOYOTA Collaboration Center, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Japan
| | - Yoko Yamaguchi
- Neuroinformatics Unit, Integrative Computational Brain Science Collaboration Center, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Japan
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75
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D'Atri A, Romano C, Gorgoni M, Scarpelli S, Alfonsi V, Ferrara M, Ferlazzo F, Rossini PM, De Gennaro L. Bilateral 5 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation on fronto-temporal areas modulates resting-state EEG. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15672. [PMID: 29142322 PMCID: PMC5688177 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16003-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhythmic non-invasive brain stimulations are promising tools to modulate brain activity by entraining neural oscillations in specific cortical networks. The aim of the study was to assess the possibility to influence the neural circuits of the wake-sleep transition in awake subjects via a bilateral transcranial alternating current stimulation at 5 Hz (θ-tACS) on fronto-temporal areas. 25 healthy volunteers participated in two within-subject sessions (θ-tACS and sham), one week apart and in counterbalanced order. We assessed the stimulation effects on cortical EEG activity (28 derivations) and self-reported sleepiness (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale). θ-tACS induced significant increases of the theta activity in temporo-parieto-occipital areas and centro-frontal increases in the alpha activity compared to sham but failed to induce any online effect on sleepiness. Since the total energy delivered in the sham condition was much less than in the active θ-tACS, the current data are unable to isolate the specific effect of entrained theta oscillatory activity per se on sleepiness scores. On this basis, we concluded that θ-tACS modulated theta and alpha EEG activity with a topography consistent with high sleep pressure conditions. However, no causal relation can be traced on the basis of the current results between these rhythms and changes on sleepiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora D'Atri
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Via della Pisana 235, 00163, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Romano
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Gorgoni
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Scarpelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Alfonsi
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Ferrara
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio (Coppito 2), 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Fabio Ferlazzo
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Maria Rossini
- IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Via della Pisana 235, 00163, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of The Sacred Heart, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi De Gennaro
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy.
- IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Via della Pisana 235, 00163, Rome, Italy.
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76
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Szymanski C, Müller V, Brick TR, von Oertzen T, Lindenberger U. Hyper-Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation: Experimental Manipulation of Inter-Brain Synchrony. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:539. [PMID: 29167638 PMCID: PMC5682643 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We walk together, we watch together, we win together: Interpersonally coordinated actions are omnipresent in everyday life, yet the associated neural mechanisms are not well understood. Available evidence suggests that the synchronization of oscillatory activity across brains may provide a mechanism for the temporal alignment of actions between two or more individuals. In an attempt to provide a direct test of this hypothesis, we applied transcranial alternating current stimulation simultaneously to two individuals (hyper-tACS) who were asked to drum in synchrony at a set pace. Thirty-eight female-female dyads performed the dyadic drumming in the course of 3 weeks under three different hyper-tACS stimulation conditions: same-phase-same-frequency; different-phase-different-frequency; sham. Based on available evidence and theoretical considerations, stimulation was applied over right frontal and parietal sites in the theta frequency range. We predicted that same-phase-same-frequency stimulation would improve interpersonal action coordination, expressed as the degree of synchrony in dyadic drumming, relative to the other two conditions. Contrary to expectations, both the same-phase-same-frequency and the different-phase-different-frequency conditions were associated with greater dyadic drumming asynchrony relative to the sham condition. No influence of hyper-tACS on behavioral performance was seen when participants were asked to drum separately in synchrony to a metronome. Individual and dyad preferred drumming tempo was also unaffected by hyper-tACS. We discuss limitations of the present version of the hyper-tACS paradigm, and suggest avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Szymanski
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Viktor Müller
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Timothy R Brick
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
| | - Timo von Oertzen
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Humanities, Universität der Bundeswehr München, München, Germany
| | - Ulman Lindenberger
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.,European University Institute, Fiesole, Italy
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77
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Koban L, Ramamoorthy A, Konvalinka I. Why do we fall into sync with others? Interpersonal synchronization and the brain's optimization principle. Soc Neurosci 2017; 14:1-9. [PMID: 29091537 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2017.1400463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Spontaneous interpersonal synchronization of rhythmic behavior such as gait or hand clapping is a ubiquitous phenomenon in human interactions, and is potentially important for social relationships and action understanding. Although several authors have suggested a role of the mirror neuron system in interpersonal coupling, the underlying brain mechanisms are not well understood. Here we argue that more general theories of neural computations, namely predictive coding and the Free Energy Principle, could explain interpersonal coordination dynamics. Each brain minimizes coding costs by reducing the mismatch between the representations of observed and own motor behavior. Continuous mutual prediction and alignment result in an overall minimization of free energy, thus forming a stable attractor state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Koban
- a Institute of Cognitive Science , University of Colorado Boulder , Boulder , CO , USA.,b NCCR Affective Sciences , University of Geneva , Geneva , Switzerland
| | - Anand Ramamoorthy
- c Department of Anaesthesiology , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , WI , USA
| | - Ivana Konvalinka
- d Section for Cognitive Systems, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science , Technical University of Denmark , Kongens Lyngby , Denmark
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78
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Tavakoli AV, Yun K. Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) Mechanisms and Protocols. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:214. [PMID: 28928634 PMCID: PMC5591642 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Perception, cognition and consciousness can be modulated as a function of oscillating neural activity, while ongoing neuronal dynamics are influenced by synaptic activity and membrane potential. Consequently, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) may be used for neurological intervention. The advantageous features of tACS include the biphasic and sinusoidal tACS currents, the ability to entrain large neuronal populations, and subtle control over somatic effects. Through neuromodulation of phasic, neural activity, tACS is a powerful tool to investigate the neural correlates of cognition. The rapid development in this area requires clarity about best practices. Here we briefly introduce tACS and review the most compelling findings in the literature to provide a starting point for using tACS. We suggest that tACS protocols be based on functional brain mechanisms and appropriate control experiments, including active sham and condition blinding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir V Tavakoli
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA, United States.,Department of Psychology, University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kyongsik Yun
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA, United States.,Computation and Neural Systems, California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA, United States.,Bio-Inspired Technologies and Systems, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA, United States
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79
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Kleinert ML, Szymanski C, Müller V. Frequency-Unspecific Effects of θ-tACS Related to a Visuospatial Working Memory Task. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:367. [PMID: 28747881 PMCID: PMC5506205 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is crucial for intelligent cognitive functioning, and synchronization phenomena in the fronto-parietal network have been suggested as an underlying neural mechanism. In an attempt to provide causal evidence for this assumption, we applied transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at theta frequency over fronto-parietal sites during a visuospatial match-to-sample (MtS) task. Depending on the stimulation protocol, i.e., in-phase, anti-phase or sham, we anticipated a differential impact of tACS on behavioral WM performance as well as on the EEG (electroencephalography) during resting state before and after stimulation. We hypothesized that in-phase tACS of the fronto-parietal theta network (stimulation frequency: 5 Hz; intensity: 1 mA peak-to-peak) would result in performance enhancement, whereas anti-phase tACS would cause performance impairment. Eighteen participants (nine female) received in-phase, anti-phase, and sham stimulation in balanced order. While being stimulated, subjects performed the MtS task, which varied in executive demand (two levels: low and high). EEG analysis of power peaks within the delta (0.5–4 Hz), theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), and beta (12–30 Hz) frequency bands was carried out. No significant differences were observed between in-phase and anti-phase stimulation regarding both behavioral and EEG measurements. Yet, with regard to the alpha frequency band, we observed a statistically significant drop of peak power from pre to post in the sham condition, whereas alpha power remained on a similar level in the actively stimulated conditions. Our results indicate a frequency-unspecific modulation of neuronal oscillations by tACS. However, the closer participants’ individual theta peak frequencies were to the stimulation frequency of 5 Hz after anti-phase tACS, the faster they responded in the MtS task. This effect did not reach statistical significance during in-phase tACS and was not present during sham. A lack of statistically significant behavioral results in the MtS task and frequency-unspecific effects on the electrophysiological level question the effectiveness of tACS in modulating cortical oscillations in a frequency-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Lisa Kleinert
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human DevelopmentBerlin, Germany.,Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität BerlinBerlin, Germany
| | - Caroline Szymanski
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human DevelopmentBerlin, Germany.,School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinBerlin, Germany
| | - Viktor Müller
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human DevelopmentBerlin, Germany
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80
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Varlet M, Wade A, Novembre G, Keller PE. Investigation of the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on self-paced rhythmic movements. Neuroscience 2017; 350:75-84. [PMID: 28323009 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Human rhythmic movements spontaneously entrain to external rhythmic stimuli. Such sensory-motor entrainment can attract movements to different tempi and enhance their efficiency, with potential clinical applications for motor rehabilitation. Here we investigate whether entrainment of self-paced rhythmic movements can be induced via transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), which uses alternating currents to entrain spontaneous brain oscillations at specific frequencies. Participants swung a handheld pendulum at their preferred tempo with the right hand while tACS was applied over their left or right primary motor cortex at frequencies equal to their preferred tempo (Experiment 1) or in the alpha (10Hz) and beta (20Hz) ranges (Experiment 2). Given that entrainment generally occurs only if the frequency difference between two rhythms is small, stimulations were delivered at frequencies equal to participants' preferred movement tempo (≈1Hz) and ±12.5% in Experiment 1, and at 10Hz and 20Hz, and ±12.5% in Experiment 2. The comparison of participants' movement frequency, amplitude, variability, and phase synchrony with and without tACS failed to reveal entrainment or movement modifications across the two experiments. However, significant differences in stimulation-related side effects reported by participants were found between the two experiments, with phosphenes and burning sensations principally occurring in Experiment 2, and metallic tastes reported marginally more often in Experiment 1. Although other stimulation protocols may be effective, our results suggest that rhythmic movements such as pendulum swinging or locomotion that are low in goal-directedness and/or strongly driven by peripheral and mechanical constraints may not be susceptible to modulation by tACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Varlet
- The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Australia.
| | - Alanna Wade
- The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Australia
| | - Giacomo Novembre
- The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter E Keller
- The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Australia
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