Raising the bar: Can dual scanning improve our understanding of joint action?

  • Two-person neuroscience (2 ​PN) is a recently introduced conceptual and methodological framework used to investigate the neural basis of human social interaction from simultaneous neuroimaging of two or more subjects (hyperscanning). In this study, we adopted a 2 ​PN approach and a multiple-brain connectivity model to investigate the neural basis of a form of cooperation called joint action. We hypothesized different intra-brain and inter-brain connectivity patterns when comparing the interpersonal properties of joint action with non-interpersonal conditions, with a focus on co-representation, a core ability at the basis of cooperation. 32 subjects were enrolled in dual-EEG recordings during a computerized joint action task including three conditions: one in which the dyad jointly acted to pursue a common goal (joint), one in which each subject interacted with the PC (PC), and one in which each subject performed the task individually (Solo). A combination of multiple-brain connectivity estimation and specific indices derived from graph theory allowed to compare interpersonal with non-interpersonal conditions in four different frequency bands. Our results indicate that all the indices were modulated by the interaction, and returned a significantly stronger integration of multiple-subject networks in the joint vs. PC and Solo conditions. A subsequent classification analysis showed that features based on multiple-brain indices led to a better discrimination between social and non-social conditions with respect to single-subject indices. Taken together, our results suggest that multiple-brain connectivity can provide a deeper insight into the understanding of the neural basis of cooperation in humans.

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Author:Laura AstolfiORCiD, Jlenia ToppiORCiD, Angela CiaramidaroORCiDGND, Pascal VogelGND, Christine M. FreitagORCiDGND, Michael SiniatchkinORCiDGND
URN:urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-777363
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116813
ISSN:1053-8119
Parent Title (English):NeuroImage
Publisher:Elsevier
Place of publication:Amsterdam
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2020/04/27
Date of first Publication:2020/04/07
Publishing Institution:Universitätsbibliothek Johann Christian Senckenberg
Release Date:2024/05/14
Tag:Connectivity; Cooperation; EEG; Graph theory; Hyperscanning; Joint actions; Social brain
Volume:216
Issue:art. 116813
Article Number:116813
Page Number:12
HeBIS-PPN:521025400
Institutes:Medizin
Dewey Decimal Classification:6 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / 61 Medizin und Gesundheit / 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
Sammlungen:Universitätspublikationen
Licence (German):License LogoCreative Commons - CC BY-NC-ND - Namensnennung - Nicht kommerziell - Keine Bearbeitungen 4.0 International