1
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Deng X, Chen Y, Chen K, Ludyga S, Zhang Z, Cheval B, Zhu W, Chen J, Ishihara T, Hou M, Gao Y, Kamijo K, Yu Q, Hillman CH, Kramer AF, Erickson KI, Delli Paoli AG, McMorris T, Gerber M, Kuang J, Cheng Z, Pindus D, Dupuy O, Heath M, Herold F, Zou L. A friend in need is a friend indeed: Acute tandem rope skipping enhances inter-brain synchrony of socially avoidant individuals. Brain Cogn 2024; 180:106205. [PMID: 39053200 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2024.106205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Team-based physical activity (PA) can improve social cognition; however, few studies have investigated the neurobiological mechanism underlying this benefit. Accordingly, a hyper-scanning protocol aimed to determine whether the interbrain synchrony (IBS) is influenced by an acute bout of team-based PA (i.e., tandem rope skipping). Specifically, we had socially avoidant participants (SOA, N=15 dyads) and their age-matched controls (CO, N=16 dyads) performed a computer-based cooperative task while EEG was recorded before and after two different experimental conditions (i.e., 30-min of team-based PA versus sitting). Phase locking value (PLV) was used to measure IBS. Results showed improved frontal gamma band IBS after the team-based PA compared to sitting when participants received successful feedback in the task (Mskipping = 0.016, Msittting = -0.009, p = 0.082, ηp2 = 0.387). The CO group showed a larger change in frontal and central gamma band IBS when provided failure feedback in the task (Mskipping = 0.017, Msittting = -0.009, p = 0.075, ηp2 = 0.313). Thus, results suggest that socially avoidant individuals may benefit from team-based PA via improved interbrain synchrony. Moreover, our findings deepen our understanding of the neurobiological mechanism by which team-based PA may improve social cognition among individuals with or without social avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmei Deng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; The Shenzhen Humanities & Social Sciences Key Research Bases of the Center for Mental Health, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yangdi Chen
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kexin Chen
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sebastian Ludyga
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Boris Cheval
- Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Ecole Normale Supérieure Rennes, Bruz, France; Laboratory VIPS2, University of Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Weijia Zhu
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianyu Chen
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Toru Ishihara
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Meijun Hou
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yangping Gao
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Keita Kamijo
- Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Chukyo University, Nagoya 466-8666, Japan
| | - Qian Yu
- Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Macau
| | - Charles H Hillman
- Center for Cognitive and Brain Health, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Physical Therapy, Movement, & Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Arthur F Kramer
- Center for Cognitive and Brain Health, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| | - Kirk I Erickson
- AdventHealth Research Institute, Neuroscience, Orlando, FL, 32101; Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 15260
| | | | - Terry McMorris
- Department Sport and Exercise Science, Institute for Sport, University of Chichester, College Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 6PE, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Gerber
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jin Kuang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhihui Cheng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dominika Pindus
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA; Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Olivier Dupuy
- Laboratory MOVE (EA 6314), Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France; School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Science (EKSAP), Faculty of Medicine. University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Matthew Heath
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, University of Western Ontario, London ON, N6A 3K7, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Fabian Herold
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Liye Zou
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Body-Brain-Mind Laboratory, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
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Liu Y, Jia S, Meng Y, Xing M, Guan J, Jiang J, Wang H. Intimate relationships regulate female brain activity in a competitive context: evidence from EEG and functional connectivity analysis. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae276. [PMID: 38989873 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Competition is common in life, and intimate relationships are essential. Understanding how intimate relationships impact an individual's competitive process is crucial. This study explored the impact of competitor gender on female competition using electroencephalography analysis. The results revealed that females exhibited a smaller median of the absolute value of reaction time difference (DRT) between their partners and their competitors when their partners were absent compared to when their partners were present. Additionally, females showed greater average amplitudes of N2 posterior contralateral component (N2pc) and Late Positive Potential (LPP), increased activation of the alpha frequency band, and enhanced theta frequency band functional connectivity between the central parietal lobe and occipital lobe. Furthermore, when competing with individuals of the same gender as opposed to individuals of the opposite gender, females exhibited greater average amplitudes of percentage of wins and N2pc. A significant negative correlation was noted between the DRT and the average wave amplitudes of N2pc and LPP. These findings suggest that females are more engaged in competitive tasks when partners are not present and have improved decision-making when competing with same-gender individuals. This study provides evidence for the influence of lovers on female competition, helping females adapt to social competition and promoting healthy relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Liu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Shuyu Jia
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Yujia Meng
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Miao Xing
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Jiaqi Guan
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Jinru Jiang
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - He Wang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
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3
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Réveillé C, Vergotte G, Perrey S, Bosselut G. Using interbrain synchrony to study teamwork: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 159:105593. [PMID: 38373643 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
It has been proposed that interbrain synchrony (IBS) may help to elucidate the neural mechanisms underpinning teamwork. As hyperscanning studies have provided abundant findings on IBS in team environments, the current review aims to synthesize the findings of hyperscanning studies in a way that is relevant to the teamwork research. A systematic review was conducted. Included studies were classified according to the IPO (i.e. input, process, output) model of teamwork. Three multi-level meta-analyses were performed to quantify the associations between IBS and the three IPO variables. The methodology followed PRISMA guidelines and the protocol was pre-registered (https://osf.io/7h8sa/). Of the 229 studies, 41 were included, representing 1326 teams. The three meta-analyses found statistically significant positive effects, indicating a positive association between IBS and the three IPO teamwork variables. This study provides evidence that IBS is a relevant measure of the teamwork process and argues for the continued use of IBS to study teamwork.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Réveillé
- EuroMov Digital Health in Motion (Univ Montpellier, IMT Mines d'Alès), 700 avenue du Pic Saint Loup, Montpellier 34090, France.
| | - Grégoire Vergotte
- EuroMov Digital Health in Motion (Univ Montpellier, IMT Mines d'Alès), 700 avenue du Pic Saint Loup, Montpellier 34090, France
| | - Stéphane Perrey
- EuroMov Digital Health in Motion (Univ Montpellier, IMT Mines d'Alès), 700 avenue du Pic Saint Loup, Montpellier 34090, France
| | - Grégoire Bosselut
- EuroMov Digital Health in Motion (Univ Montpellier, IMT Mines d'Alès), 700 avenue du Pic Saint Loup, Montpellier 34090, France
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Kurihara Y, Takahashi T, Osu R. The topology of interpersonal neural network in weak social ties. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4961. [PMID: 38418895 PMCID: PMC11336176 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55495-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The strategies for social interaction between strangers differ from those between acquaintances, whereas the differences in neural basis of social interaction have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we examined the geometrical properties of interpersonal neural networks in pairs of strangers and acquaintances during antiphase joint tapping. Dual electroencephalogram (EEG) of 29 channels per participant was measured from 14 strangers and 13 acquaintance pairs.Intra-brain synchronizations were calculated using the weighted phase lag index (wPLI) for intra-brain electrode combinations, and inter-brain synchronizations were calculated using the phase locking value (PLV) for inter-brain electrode combinations in the theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands. For each participant pair, electrode combinations with larger wPLI/PLV than their surrogates were defined as the edges of the neural networks. We calculated global efficiency, local efficiency, and modularity derived from graph theory for the combined intra- and inter-brain networks of each pair. In the theta band networks, stranger pairs showed larger local efficiency than acquaintance pairs, indicating that the two brains of stranger pairs were more densely connected. Hence, weak social ties require extensive social interactions and result in high efficiency of information transfer between neighbors in neural network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Kurihara
- Graduate School of Human Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Toru Takahashi
- Advanced Research Center for Human Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Rieko Osu
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University, 2-579-15 Mikajima, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
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Deng X, Chen K, Chen X, Zhang L, Lin M, Li X, Gao Q. Parental involvement affects parent-adolescents brain-to-brain synchrony when experiencing different emotions together: An EEG-based hyperscanning study. Behav Brain Res 2024; 458:114734. [PMID: 37926335 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Parental involvement (PI) is a broad and multifaceted construct, which refers to the parental demonstration of interest in their child, caring, and warmth (Davis et al., 2021). Parental involvement affects parent-adolescent's relationship and communication. However, there was little research to examine the underlying neural mechanism. The present study aimed to explore how parental involvement is associated with the brain-to-brain synchronous activation between parent-adolescent dyads when sharing emotional experience together by using the electroencephalograph (EEG) hyperscanning. EEG was recorded simultaneously in a sample of 26 parent-adolescent dyads (Mparents'age=43.312, SD=5.468; Madolescents' age=12.077, SD=1.412) when completing the picture processing task. Phase locking values (PLVs) in beta band and gamma band were used to compare the differences in the parent-adolescent dyads' induced brain-to-brain synchrony between the high parental involvement group (HPI) and the low parental involvement group (LPI). Results showed that greater beta brain-to-brain synchrony was observed in the HPIs than in the LPIs when experiencing positive emotions together in the central region. However, there was no significant difference between the HPIs and the LPIs in the negative and neutral condition. Moreover, greater gamma brain-to-brain synchrony was observed when viewing negative emotional stimuli together than viewing positive emotional stimuli together in the LPIs in the central region. However, there was no significant difference between different emotional conditions in the HPIs. Findings of the present study provide neuroscientific evidence that parental involvement may strengthen parent-adolescent's emotional interaction and communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmei Deng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Center for Mental Health, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kexin Chen
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoming Chen
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Fushun No.1 Middle School, Zigong, China
| | - Mingping Lin
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Lihu Subdistrict No. 1 Primary School, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqing Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Center for Mental Health, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Qiufeng Gao
- Department of Society, School of Government, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
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6
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Jia S, Meng Y, Gao Y, Ao L, Yang L, Wang H, Liu Y. Romantic relationships attenuated competition between lovers: evidence from brain synchronization. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae028. [PMID: 38300221 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Competition is an essential component of social interaction and is influenced by interpersonal relationships. This study is based on social exchange theory and explores the relationship between brain synchronization and competition in the binary system of romantic relationships through electroencephalogram hyperscanning technology. The results found that females had a greater win rate in the romantic and friend groups. During the early stage (0-200 ms), when the competitive target appeared, the stranger group exhibited greater interbrain synchronicity in the Alpha frequency band. However, during the later stage (600-800 ms), the romantic group showed higher Alpha band interbrain synchrony when the competitive target appeared. Significant interbrain synchronizations were observed in the Theta frequency band of the stranger and friend groups at 400-600 ms and 800-1000 ms. Moreover, these interbrain synchronizations were significantly positively correlated with the winning rates of females in the competition. These findings suggest a close relationship between interpersonal coordination and interbrain synchronization. Furthermore, romantic relationships reduce participants' willingness to compete, affecting their attention regulation, emotional processing, and goal orientation, thus influencing competition. This study investigated the impact of romantic relationships on competition, providing a theoretical foundation for promoting the positive and healthy development of romantic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyu Jia
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai avenue, Caofeidian district, Tangshan, Hebei province, China
| | - Yujia Meng
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai avenue, Caofeidian district, Tangshan, Hebei province, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai avenue, Caofeidian district, Tangshan, Hebei province, China
| | - Lihong Ao
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai avenue, Caofeidian district, Tangshan, Hebei province, China
| | - Lei Yang
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai avenue, Caofeidian district, Tangshan, Hebei province, China
| | - He Wang
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai avenue, Caofeidian district, Tangshan, Hebei province, China
- School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai avenue, Caofeidian district, Tangshan, Hebei province, China
| | - Yingjie Liu
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai avenue, Caofeidian district, Tangshan, Hebei province, China
- School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai avenue, Caofeidian district, Tangshan, Hebei province, China
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7
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Jia S, Meng Y, Gao Y, Ao L, Yang L, Wang H, Liu Y. The absence of one's intimate partner promotes dyadic competition through enhanced interbrain synchronization between opponents. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1298175. [PMID: 38328380 PMCID: PMC10847280 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1298175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Competition is a common occurrence in life, but the influence of intimate relationships on people's competitiveness remains unknown. Grounded in Darwin's theory of sexual selection, this study utilized EEG hyperscanning technology to investigate the influence of the presence of romantic partners and the gender of competitors on the interbrain synchronization of female individuals during competitive contexts. The research results showed that in competitive interactions, there was a significant increase in Theta and Alpha frequency band activity between females and their competitors. Interbrain synchronization was strongest when their partners were not nearby and females competed with same gender competitors. The research results indicate that intimate companionship has an impact on the early alertness and late cognitive execution mechanisms of female individuals in competition, and due to intimate relationships, females pay more attention to same-gender competitors. This study demonstrates that the presence of intimate partners can affect a female's competitive state and brain synchronization with opponents of different genders, improving the theoretical explanation of intimate relationships and competitive interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyu Jia
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Yujia Meng
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Lihong Ao
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Lei Yang
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - He Wang
- School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Yingjie Liu
- School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
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8
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Chuang TM, Peng PC, Su YK, Lin SH, Tseng YL. Exploring Inter-Brain Electroencephalogram Patterns for Social Cognitive Assessment During Jigsaw Puzzle Solving. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2024; 32:422-430. [PMID: 38198273 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2024.3352036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Social interaction enables the smooth progression of our daily lives. Mounting evidence from recent hyperscanning neuroimaging studies indicates that key components of social behavior can be evaluated using inter-brain oscillations and connectivity. However, mapping out inter-brain networks and developing neurocognitive theories that explain how humans co-create and share information during social interaction remains challenging. In this study, we developed a jigsaw puzzle-solving game with hyperscanning electroencephalography (EEG) signals recorded to investigate inter-brain activities during social interactions involving cooperation and competition. Participants were recruited and paired into dyads to participate in the multiplayer jigsaw puzzle game with 32-channel EEG signals recorded. The corresponding event-related potentials (ERPs), brain oscillations, and inter-brain functional connectivity were analyzed. The results showed different ERP morphologies of P3 patterns in competitive and cooperative contexts, and brain oscillations in the low-frequency band may be an indicator of social cognitive activities. Furthermore, increased inter-brain functional connectivity in the delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands was observed in the competition mode compared to the cooperation mode. By presenting comparable and valid hyperscanning EEG results alongside those of previous studies using traditional paradigms, this study demonstrates the potential of utilizing hyperscanning techniques in real-life game-playing scenarios to quantitatively assess social cognitive interactions involving cooperation and competition. Our approach offers a promising platform with potential applications in the flexible assessment of psychiatric disorders related to social functioning.
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Deng X, Lin M, Li X. Mindfulness meditation enhances interbrain synchrony of adolescents when experiencing different emotions simultaneously. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhad474. [PMID: 38061691 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness is considered to benefit social behavior and interpersonal communication. However, the underlying neural mechanism has not been fully examined. This study aimed to explore how mindfulness practice affected the interbrain synchrony within adolescent peer dyads when sharing emotional experience together by using the electroencephalograph hyperscanning approach. Thirty adolescent dyads were randomly assigned to a mindfulness group or a non-mindfulness group. Mindfulness group performed a 20-min mindfulness exercise. Non-mindfulness group were instructed to rest. Simultaneously, electroencephalograph was recorded when they completed a picture-processing task. Phase-locking-value in the gamma band was used to calculate adolescent dyads' brain-to-brain synchrony. Results showed that greater interbrain synchrony in the frontal region was observed when viewing different emotional stimuli together after the mindfulness than before the mindfulness in the mindfulness group. However, there was no significant difference in the interbrain synchrony in the non-mindfulness group. Moreover, greater interbrain synchrony was observed in the mindfulness group than in the non-mindfulness group after mindfulness or rest in the frontal region. However, there was no significant difference between the mindfulness and non-mindfulness group before mindfulness or rest. The findings are discussed in light of the broader theoretical questions of how mindfulness may promote interpersonal functioning from a psychophysiological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmei Deng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- The Shenzhen Humanities & Social Sciences Key Research Bases of the Center for Mental Health, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mingping Lin
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Lihu Subdistrict No. 1 Primary School, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- Overseas Chinese Town High School, Shenzhen, China
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Hakim U, De Felice S, Pinti P, Zhang X, Noah JA, Ono Y, Burgess PW, Hamilton A, Hirsch J, Tachtsidis I. Quantification of inter-brain coupling: A review of current methods used in haemodynamic and electrophysiological hyperscanning studies. Neuroimage 2023; 280:120354. [PMID: 37666393 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperscanning is a form of neuroimaging experiment where the brains of two or more participants are imaged simultaneously whilst they interact. Within the domain of social neuroscience, hyperscanning is increasingly used to measure inter-brain coupling (IBC) and explore how brain responses change in tandem during social interaction. In addition to cognitive research, some have suggested that quantification of the interplay between interacting participants can be used as a biomarker for a variety of cognitive mechanisms aswell as to investigate mental health and developmental conditions including schizophrenia, social anxiety and autism. However, many different methods have been used to quantify brain coupling and this can lead to questions about comparability across studies and reduce research reproducibility. Here, we review methods for quantifying IBC, and suggest some ways moving forward. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we reviewed 215 hyperscanning studies, across four different brain imaging modalities: functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), functional magnetic resonance (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG). Overall, the review identified a total of 27 different methods used to compute IBC. The most common hyperscanning modality is fNIRS, used by 119 studies, 89 of which adopted wavelet coherence. Based on the results of this literature survey, we first report summary statistics of the hyperscanning field, followed by a brief overview of each signal that is obtained from each neuroimaging modality used in hyperscanning. We then discuss the rationale, assumptions and suitability of each method to different modalities which can be used to investigate IBC. Finally, we discuss issues surrounding the interpretation of each method.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Hakim
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place Engineering Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
| | - S De Felice
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - P Pinti
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place Engineering Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom; Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - X Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - J A Noah
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Y Ono
- Department of Electronics and Bioinformatics, School of Science and Technology, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - P W Burgess
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - A Hamilton
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - J Hirsch
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place Engineering Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States; Departments of Neuroscience and Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States; Yale University, Wu Tsai Institute, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - I Tachtsidis
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place Engineering Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
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11
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Yang M, Li X, Sang B, Deng X. Age differences in interbrain synchronization during peer cooperation: an EEG hyperscanning study. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:10614-10623. [PMID: 37615349 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthy peer relationships could provide emotional and social support for adolescents experiencing dramatic physical and environmental changes. Examining age differences in cognitive neural processing during peer interaction provides insight into adolescent interpersonal contact and "social brain" development. The present study compared the age differences between adolescents and adults by examining the behavior and interbrain synchronization of pairs in a cooperative computer game task. 32 pairs of adolescents and 31 pairs of adults were recruited as participants. The reaction times and interbrain synchronization of the participants were measured. The results revealed that interbrain synchronization activation following the onset of the "ready signal" was primarily detected in low-frequency bands such as delta and theta. Adolescent pairs' interbrain synchronization activations were significantly higher than those of adult pairs in the anterior and central brain regions, such as the frontal, frontal-central, and parietal lobes. Correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between occipital region interbrain synchronization and behavioral performance. The findings provide behavioral and neurophysiological evidence for the characteristics of adolescent interpersonal cognitive processing and point to the significance of low-frequency interbrain synchronization in interpersonal coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Yang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xinqi Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Biao Sang
- Lab for Educational Big Data and Policymaking, Shanghai Academy of Educational Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xinmei Deng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- The Shenzhen Humanities & Social Sciences Key Research Bases of the Center for Mental Health, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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12
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Chuang C, Hsu H. Pseudo-mutual gazing enhances interbrain synchrony during remote joint attention tasking. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3181. [PMID: 37496332 PMCID: PMC10570487 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mutual gaze enables people to share attention and increase engagement during social interactions through intentional and implicit messages. Although previous studies have explored gaze behaviors and neural mechanisms underlying in-person eye contact, the growing prevalence of remote communication has raised questions about how to establish mutual gaze remotely and how the brains of interacting individuals synchronize. METHODS To address these questions, we conducted a study using eye trackers to create a pseudo-mutual gaze channel that mirrors the gazes of each interacting dyad on their respective remote screens. To demonstrate fluctuations in coupling across brains, we incorporated electroencephalographic hyperscanning techniques to simultaneously record the brain activity of interacting dyads engaged in a joint attention task in player-observer, collaborative, and competitive modes. RESULTS Our results indicated that mutual gaze could improve the efficiency of joint attention activities among remote partners. Moreover, by employing the phase locking value, we could estimate interbrain synchrony (IBS) and observe low-frequency couplings in the frontal and temporal regions that varied based on the interaction mode. While dyadic gender composition significantly affected gaze patterns, it did not impact the IBS. CONCLUSION These results provide insight into the neurological mechanisms underlying remote interaction through the pseudo-mutual gaze channel and have significant implications for developing effective online communication environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun‐Hsiang Chuang
- Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, College of EducationNational Tsing Hua UniversityHsinchuTaiwan
- Institute of Information Systems and ApplicationsCollege of Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceNational Tsing Hua UniversityHsinchuTaiwan
| | - Hao‐Che Hsu
- Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, College of EducationNational Tsing Hua UniversityHsinchuTaiwan
- Department of Computer ScienceNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityHsinchuTaiwan
- Department of Computer Science and EngineeringNational Taiwan Ocean UniversityKeelungTaiwan
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13
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Deng X, Yang M, Chen X, Zhan Y. The role of mindfulness on theta inter-brain synchrony during cooperation feedback processing: An EEG-based hyperscanning study. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2023; 23:100396. [PMID: 37521502 PMCID: PMC10372402 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2023.100396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness appears to improve empathy and understanding in relationships, which are necessary for successful cooperation. However, the impact of mindfulness on cooperation has not been fully studied. This study used hyperscanning technique to examine the effect of mindfulness on the inter-brain synchrony of interacting individuals during the cooperative tasks. Forty-one dyads were randomly assigned to a mindfulness group or a non-mindfulness group. Dyads of the mindfulness group performed a short mindfulness exercise following a 15-minute mindfulness audio guidance. Dyads of the non-mindfulness group were instructed to rest quietly with their eyes closed. Then, simultaneously and continuously EEG was recorded from all dyads when they completed a computer-based cooperative game task. Reaction times (RTs) and success rates were used to indicate the behavioral performance, and phase locking value (PLV) was used to indicate the inter-brain synchrony. The results showed that (1) Greater theta inter-brain synchrony during the cooperative computer game tasks was observed in the mindfulness group than in the non-mindfulness group; (2) Greater theta inter-brain synchrony was observed in the successful cooperation conditions as compared to those in the failure cooperation conditions; (3) Greater theta inter-brain synchrony was observed at the frontal region as compared to those at the parietal-occipital region in the successful cooperation condition. The results expand the neural basis of the effects of mindfulness on cooperation feedback processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmei Deng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Center for Mental Health, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meng Yang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomin Chen
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yong Zhan
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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14
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Vicente U, Ara A, Marco-Pallarés J. Intra- and inter-brain synchrony oscillations underlying social adjustment. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11211. [PMID: 37433866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38292-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans naturally synchronize their behavior with other people. However, although it happens almost automatically, adjusting behavior and conformity to others is a complex phenomenon whose neural mechanisms are still yet to be understood entirely. The present experiment aimed to study the oscillatory synchronization mechanisms underlying automatic dyadic convergence in an EEG hyperscanning experiment. Thirty-six people performed a cooperative decision-making task where dyads had to guess the correct position of a point on a line. A reinforcement learning algorithm was used to model different aspects of the participants' behavior and their expectations of their peers. Intra- and inter-connectivity among electrode sites were assessed using inter-site phase clustering in three main frequency bands (theta, alpha, beta) using a two-level Bayesian mixed-effects modeling approach. The results showed two oscillatory synchronization dynamics related to attention and executive functions in alpha and reinforcement learning in theta. In addition, inter-brain synchrony was mainly driven by beta oscillations. This study contributes preliminary evidence on the phase-coherence mechanism underlying inter-personal behavioral adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Unai Vicente
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, 08907, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
| | - Alberto Ara
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, H3A 2B4, Montreal, Canada
- BRAMS: International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research, H3C 3J7, Montreal, Canada
| | - Josep Marco-Pallarés
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, 08907, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
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15
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Koul A, Ahmar D, Iannetti GD, Novembre G. Spontaneous dyadic behaviour predicts the emergence of interpersonal neural synchrony. Neuroimage 2023:120233. [PMID: 37348621 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Synchronization of neural activity across brains - interpersonal neural synchrony (INS) - is emerging as a powerful marker of social interaction that predicts success of multi-person coordination, communication, and cooperation. As the origins of INS are poorly understood, we tested whether and how INS might emerge from spontaneous dyadic behavior. We recorded neural activity (EEG) and human behavior (full-body kinematics, eye movements and facial expressions) while dyads of participants were instructed to look at each other without speaking or making co-verbal gestures. We made four fundamental observations. First, despite the absence of a structured social task, INS emerged spontaneously only when participants were able to see each other. Second, we show that such spontaneous INS, comprising specific spectral and topographic profiles, did not merely reflect intra-personal modulations of neural activity, but it rather reflected real-time and dyad-specific coupling of neural activities. Third, using state-of-art video-image processing and deep learning, we extracted the temporal unfolding of three notable social behavioral cues - body movement, eye contact, and smiling - and demonstrated that these behaviors also spontaneously synchronized within dyads. Fourth, we probed the correlates of INS in such synchronized social behaviors. Using cross-correlation and Granger causality analyses, we show that synchronized social behaviors anticipate and in fact Granger cause INS. These results provide proof-of-concept evidence for studying interpersonal neural and behavioral synchrony under natural and unconstrained conditions. Most importantly, the results suggest that INS could be conceptualized as an emergent property of two coupled neural systems: an entrainment phenomenon, promoted by real-time dyadic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atesh Koul
- Neuroscience of Perception and Action Lab, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome, Italy.
| | - Davide Ahmar
- Neuroscience of Perception and Action Lab, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Domenico Iannetti
- Neuroscience and Behavior Lab, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London (UCL), WC1E 6BT, London, UK
| | - Giacomo Novembre
- Neuroscience of Perception and Action Lab, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome, Italy.
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16
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Wallace R. Formal perspectives on shared interbrain activity in social communication: Insights from information and control theories. Cogn Neurodyn 2023; 17:25-38. [PMID: 36704628 PMCID: PMC9871155 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-022-09811-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying a reorientation of neuroscience from a single-brain to a multi-brain frame of reference have long been with us. These revolve around the evolutionary exaptation of the inevitable second-law 'leakage' of crosstalk between co-resident cognitive phenomena. Crosstalk characterizes such processes as immune response, wound-healing, gene expression, as so on, up through and including far more rapid neural processes. It is not a great leap-of-faith to infer that similar phenomena affect/afflict social interactions between individuals within and across populations.
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17
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Gonzalez-Cabrera I. A lineage explanation of human normative guidance: the coadaptive model of instrumental rationality and shared intentionality. SYNTHESE 2022; 200:493. [PMID: 36438177 PMCID: PMC9681693 DOI: 10.1007/s11229-022-03925-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This paper aims to contribute to the existing literature on normative cognition by providing a lineage explanation of human social norm psychology. This approach builds upon theories of goal-directed behavioral control in the reinforcement learning and control literature, arguing that this form of control defines an important class of intentional normative mental states that are instrumental in nature. I defend the view that great ape capacities for instrumental reasoning and our capacity (or family of capacities) for shared intentionality coadapted to each other and argue that the evolution of this capacity has allowed the representation of social norms and the emergence of our capacity for normative guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Gonzalez-Cabrera
- Institute of Philosophy, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 49, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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18
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Chen P, Kirk U, Dikker S. Trait mindful awareness predicts inter-brain coupling but not individual brain responses during naturalistic face-to-face interactions. Front Psychol 2022; 13:915345. [PMID: 36248509 PMCID: PMC9561904 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.915345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the possible benefits of mindfulness meditation have sparked much public and academic interest. Mindfulness emphasizes cultivating awareness of our immediate experience and has been associated with compassion, empathy, and various other prosocial traits. However, neurobiological evidence pertaining to the prosocial benefits of mindfulness in social settings is sparse. In this study, we investigate neural correlates of trait mindful awareness during naturalistic dyadic interactions, using both intra-brain and inter-brain measures. We used the Muse headset, a portable electroencephalogram (EEG) device often used to support mindfulness meditation, to record brain activity from dyads as they engaged in naturalistic face-to-face interactions in a museum setting. While we did not replicate prior laboratory-based findings linking trait mindfulness to individual brain responses (N = 379 individuals), self-reported mindful awareness did predict dyadic inter-brain synchrony, in theta (~5-8 Hz) and beta frequencies (~26-27 Hz; N = 62 dyads). These findings underscore the importance of conducting social neuroscience research in ecological settings to enrich our understanding of how (multi-brain) neural correlates of social traits such as mindful awareness manifest during social interaction, while raising critical practical considerations regarding the viability of commercially available EEG systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe Chen
- Psychology Department, New York University, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Ulrich Kirk
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Suzanne Dikker
- Psychology Department, New York University, New York City, NY, United States
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Free University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Max Planck - NYU Center for Language Music and Emotion, New York University, New York City, NY, United States
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19
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Deng X, Lin M, Zhang L, Li X, Gao Q. Relations between family cohesion and adolescent-parent's neural synchrony in response to emotional stimulations. Behav Brain Funct 2022; 18:11. [PMID: 36167576 PMCID: PMC9516805 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-022-00197-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interaction between parent and adolescent is more challenging than in other age periods. Family cohesion seriously impacts parent-adolescent emotional interactions. However, the underlying neural mechanism has not been fully examined. This study examined the differences in the neural synchrony in response to emotional film clips between high and low family cohesion adolescent-parent dyads by using the electroencephalograph (EEG) hyperscanning. RESULTS Simultaneously electroencephalograph (EEG) was recorded while 15 low family cohesion parent-adolescent dyads (LFCs)and 14 high family cohesion parent-adolescent dyads (HFCs)received different emotional induction when viewing film clips. Interbrain phase-locking-value (PLV) in gamma band was used to calculate parent-adolescent dyads' interbrain synchrony. Results showed that higher gamma interbrain synchrony was observed in the HFCs than the LFCs in the positive conditions. However, there was no significant difference between the HFCs and LFCs in other conditions. Also, the HFCs had significantly higher gamma interbrain synchrony in the positive conditions than in the negative conditions. CONCLUSION Interbrain synchrony may represent an underlying neural mechanism of the parent-adolescent emotional bonding, which is the core of family cohesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmei Deng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Mingping Lin
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoqing Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiufeng Gao
- Department of Society, School of Government, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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20
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Wikström V, Saarikivi K, Falcon M, Makkonen T, Martikainen S, Putkinen V, Cowley BU, Tervaniemi M. Inter-brain synchronization occurs without physical co-presence during cooperative online gaming. Neuropsychologia 2022; 174:108316. [PMID: 35810882 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Inter-brain synchronization during social interaction has been linked with several positive phenomena, including closeness, cooperation, prosociality, and team performance. However, the temporal dynamics of inter-brain synchronization during collaboration are not yet fully understood. Furthermore, with collaboration increasingly happening online, the dependence of inter-brain phase synchronization of oscillatory activity on physical presence is an important but understudied question. In this study, physically isolated participants performed a collaborative coordination task in the form of a cooperative multiplayer game. We measured EEG from 42 subjects working together as pairs in the task. During the measurement, the only interaction between the participants happened through on-screen movement of a racing car, controlled by button presses of both participants working with distinct roles, either controlling the speed or the direction of the car. Pairs working together in the task were found to have elevated neural coupling in the alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands, compared to performance matched false pairs. Higher gamma synchrony was associated with better momentary performance within dyads and higher alpha synchrony was associated with better mean performance across dyads. These results are in line with previous findings of increased inter-brain synchrony during interaction, and show that phase synchronization of oscillatory activity occurs during online real-time joint coordination without any physical co-presence or video and audio connection. Synchrony decreased during a playing session, but was found to be higher during the second session compared to the first. The novel paradigm, developed for the measurement of real-time collaborative performance, demonstrates that changes in inter-brain EEG phase synchrony can be observed continuously during interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valtteri Wikström
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Department of Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, Helsinki, 00014, Finland.
| | - Katri Saarikivi
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Department of Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Mari Falcon
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Department of Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Tommi Makkonen
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Silja Martikainen
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Department of Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Vesa Putkinen
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, P.O. Box 52, Turku, 20521, Finland; Turku University Hospital, P.O. Box 52, Turku, 20521, Finland
| | - Benjamin Ultan Cowley
- Department of Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Cognitive Science, Department of Digital Humanities, Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 24, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Mari Tervaniemi
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Department of Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
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21
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Nazneen T, Islam IB, Sajal MSR, Jamal W, Amin MA, Vaidyanathan R, Chau T, Mamun KA. Recent Trends in Non-invasive Neural Recording Based Brain-to-Brain Synchrony Analysis on Multidisciplinary Human Interactions for Understanding Brain Dynamics: A Systematic Review. Front Comput Neurosci 2022; 16:875282. [PMID: 35782087 PMCID: PMC9245014 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2022.875282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of brain-to-brain synchrony has a burgeoning application in the brain-computer interface (BCI) research, offering valuable insights into the neural underpinnings of interacting human brains using numerous neural recording technologies. The area allows exploring the commonality of brain dynamics by evaluating the neural synchronization among a group of people performing a specified task. The growing number of publications on brain-to-brain synchrony inspired the authors to conduct a systematic review using the PRISMA protocol so that future researchers can get a comprehensive understanding of the paradigms, methodologies, translational algorithms, and challenges in the area of brain-to-brain synchrony research. This review has gone through a systematic search with a specified search string and selected some articles based on pre-specified eligibility criteria. The findings from the review revealed that most of the articles have followed the social psychology paradigm, while 36% of the selected studies have an application in cognitive neuroscience. The most applied approach to determine neural connectivity is a coherence measure utilizing phase-locking value (PLV) in the EEG studies, followed by wavelet transform coherence (WTC) in all of the fNIRS studies. While most of the experiments have control experiments as a part of their setup, a small number implemented algorithmic control, and only one study had interventional or a stimulus-induced control experiment to limit spurious synchronization. Hence, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this systematic review solely contributes to critically evaluating the scopes and technological advances of brain-to-brain synchrony to allow this discipline to produce more effective research outcomes in the remote future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahnia Nazneen
- Advanced Intelligent Multidisciplinary Systems Lab, Institute of Advanced Research, United International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Iffath Binta Islam
- Advanced Intelligent Multidisciplinary Systems Lab, Institute of Advanced Research, United International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Sakibur Rahman Sajal
- Advanced Intelligent Multidisciplinary Systems Lab, Institute of Advanced Research, United International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, United International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - M. Ashraful Amin
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Independent University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ravi Vaidyanathan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Chau
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Khondaker A. Mamun
- Advanced Intelligent Multidisciplinary Systems Lab, Institute of Advanced Research, United International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, United International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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22
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Luft CDB, Zioga I, Giannopoulos A, Di Bona G, Binetti N, Civilini A, Latora V, Mareschal I. Social synchronization of brain activity increases during eye-contact. Commun Biol 2022; 5:412. [PMID: 35508588 PMCID: PMC9068716 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03352-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans make eye-contact to extract information about other people’s mental states, recruiting dedicated brain networks that process information about the self and others. Recent studies show that eye-contact increases the synchronization between two brains but do not consider its effects on activity within single brains. Here we investigate how eye-contact affects the frequency and direction of the synchronization within and between two brains and the corresponding network characteristics. We also evaluate the functional relevance of eye-contact networks by comparing inter- and intra-brain networks of friends vs. strangers and the direction of synchronization between leaders and followers. We show that eye-contact increases higher inter- and intra-brain synchronization in the gamma frequency band. Network analysis reveals that some brain areas serve as hubs linking within- and between-brain networks. During eye-contact, friends show higher inter-brain synchronization than strangers. Dyads with clear leader/follower roles demonstrate higher synchronization from leader to follower in the alpha frequency band. Importantly, eye-contact affects synchronization between brains more than within brains, demonstrating that eye-contact is an inherently social signal. Future work should elucidate the causal mechanisms behind eye-contact induced synchronization. Friends making eye-contact have higher inter-brain synchronization than strangers. Eye-contact affects neural synchronization between brains more than within a brain, highlighting that eye-contact is an inherently social signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Di Bernardi Luft
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom.
| | - Ioanna Zioga
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anastasios Giannopoulos
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Athens, Greece
| | - Gabriele Di Bona
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Binetti
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Civilini
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Vito Latora
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom.,Dipartimento di Fisica ed Astronomia, Università di Catania and INFN, I-95123, Catania, Italy.,The Alan Turing Institute, The British Library, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom.,Complexity Science Hub, Josefstäadter Strasse 39, A 1080, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isabelle Mareschal
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom
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23
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Holroyd CB. Interbrain synchrony: on wavy ground. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:346-357. [PMID: 35236639 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In recent years the study of dynamic, between-brain coupling mechanisms has taken social neuroscience by storm. In particular, interbrain synchrony (IBS) is a putative neural mechanism said to promote social interactions by enabling the functional integration of multiple brains. In this article, I argue that this research is beset with three pervasive and interrelated problems. First, the field lacks a widely accepted definition of IBS. Second, IBS wants for theories that can guide the design and interpretation of experiments. Third, a potpourri of tasks and empirical methods permits undue flexibility when testing the hypothesis. These factors synergistically undermine IBS as a theoretical construct. I finish by recommending measures that can address these issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clay B Holroyd
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
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Bârzan H, Ichim AM, Moca VV, Mureşan RC. Time-Frequency Representations of Brain Oscillations: Which One Is Better? Front Neuroinform 2022; 16:871904. [PMID: 35492077 PMCID: PMC9050353 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2022.871904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain oscillations are thought to subserve important functions by organizing the dynamical landscape of neural circuits. The expression of such oscillations in neural signals is usually evaluated using time-frequency representations (TFR), which resolve oscillatory processes in both time and frequency. While a vast number of methods exist to compute TFRs, there is often no objective criterion to decide which one is better. In feature-rich data, such as that recorded from the brain, sources of noise and unrelated processes abound and contaminate results. The impact of these distractor sources is especially problematic, such that TFRs that are more robust to contaminants are expected to provide more useful representations. In addition, the minutiae of the techniques themselves impart better or worse time and frequency resolutions, which also influence the usefulness of the TFRs. Here, we introduce a methodology to evaluate the "quality" of TFRs of neural signals by quantifying how much information they retain about the experimental condition during visual stimulation and recognition tasks, in mice and humans, respectively. We used machine learning to discriminate between various experimental conditions based on TFRs computed with different methods. We found that various methods provide more or less informative TFRs depending on the characteristics of the data. In general, however, more advanced techniques, such as the superlet transform, seem to provide better results for complex time-frequency landscapes, such as those extracted from electroencephalography signals. Finally, we introduce a method based on feature perturbation that is able to quantify how much time-frequency components contribute to the correct discrimination among experimental conditions. The methodology introduced in the present study may be extended to other analyses of neural data, enabling the discovery of data features that are modulated by the experimental manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Bârzan
- Department of Theoretical and Experimental Neuroscience, Transylvanian Institute of Neuroscience, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informational Technologies, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ana-Maria Ichim
- Department of Theoretical and Experimental Neuroscience, Transylvanian Institute of Neuroscience, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informational Technologies, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vasile Vlad Moca
- Department of Theoretical and Experimental Neuroscience, Transylvanian Institute of Neuroscience, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Raul Cristian Mureşan
- Department of Theoretical and Experimental Neuroscience, Transylvanian Institute of Neuroscience, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Rose MC, Styr B, Schmid TA, Elie JE, Yartsev MM. Cortical representation of group social communication in bats. Science 2021; 374:eaba9584. [PMID: 34672724 PMCID: PMC8775406 DOI: 10.1126/science.aba9584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Social interactions occur in group settings and are mediated by communication signals that are exchanged between individuals, often using vocalizations. The neural representation of group social communication remains largely unexplored. We conducted simultaneous wireless electrophysiological recordings from the frontal cortices of groups of Egyptian fruit bats engaged in both spontaneous and task-induced vocal interactions. We found that the activity of single neurons distinguished between vocalizations produced by self and by others, as well as among specific individuals. Coordinated neural activity among group members exhibited stable bidirectional interbrain correlation patterns specific to spontaneous communicative interactions. Tracking social and spatial arrangements within a group revealed a relationship between social preferences and intra- and interbrain activity patterns. Combined, these findings reveal a dedicated neural repertoire for group social communication within and across the brains of freely communicating groups of bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maimon C. Rose
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Boaz Styr
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Tobias A. Schmid
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Julie E. Elie
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Michael M. Yartsev
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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Richard C, Karić MS, McConnell M, Poole J, Rupp G, Fink A, Meghdadi A, Berka C. Elevated Inter-Brain Coherence Between Subjects With Concordant Stances During Discussion of Social Issues. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:611886. [PMID: 34054446 PMCID: PMC8160431 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.611886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Social media platforms offer convenient, instantaneous social sharing on a mass scale with tremendous impact on public perceptions, opinions, and behavior. There is a need to understand why information spreads including the human motivations, cognitive processes, and neural dynamics of large-scale sharing. This study introduces a novel approach for investigating the effect social media messaging and in-person discussion has on the inter-brain dynamics within small groups of participants. The psychophysiological impact of information campaigns and narrative messaging within a closed social media environment was assessed using 24-channel wireless EEG. Data were acquired from three- or four-person groups while subjects debated contemporary social issues framed by four scenarios of varying controversy: (a) investing in ethical vs. unethical corporations, (b) selecting travel destination based on social awareness, (c) determining verdict in a murder trial and the punishment of life in prison or death penalty, and (d) decision to vaccinate. Pre-/post-scenario questionnaires assess the effects of the social media information. Inter-brain coherence between subject pairs on each social issue discussed by subjects was analyzed by concordance, agreement vs. disagreement, and by group unanimity, unanimous vs. not unanimous. Subject pairs that agreed on the social issues raised in the scenarios had significantly greater inter-brain coherence in gamma frequency range than disagreeing pairs over cortical regions known to be involved in social interactions. These effects were magnified when comparing groups where subject pairs were unanimous in their stance on the social issues for some but not all scenarios. While there was considerable overlap between scenarios in what EEG channels were significant, there was enough variability to indicate the possibility of scenario-specific effects on inter-brain coherence.
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Farahzadi Y, Kekecs Z. Towards a multi-brain framework for hypnosis: a review of quantitative methods. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS 2021; 63:389-403. [PMID: 33999773 DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2020.1865129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Most real-world applications of hypnosis involve a pair of actors: a hypnotist and a subject. Accordingly, most current models of hypnosis acknowledge the relevance of social factors in the development of the hypnotic response. Yet, psychophysiological research on hypnosis has been mostly restricted to techniques that are studying one individual, neglecting the complexity of hypnosis as a social phenomenon. In this paper, we review evidence suggesting that a multi-brain approach to studying the psychophysiology of hypnosis could lead to a breakthrough in our understanding of the neural correlates of hypnosis. In particular, we aim to highlight how this approach which relies on the information conveyed by complex verbal stimuli can be utilized to deal with the multifaceted nature of hypnosis. Furthermore, we present analytical approaches to assessing brain-to-brain coupling developed in the field of social cognitive neuroscience in the past decade, to aid the design of similar multi-brain studies in hypnosis research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zoltan Kekecs
- Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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