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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study
04:44

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study

Published on: July 21, 2021

Between-brain connectivity during imitation measured by fNIRS.

Lisa Holper1, Felix Scholkmann, Martin Wolf

  • 1Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory, Division of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. holper@ini.phys.ethz.ch

Neuroimage
|June 27, 2012
PubMed
Summary

This study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to show that imitation increases brain-to-brain connectivity. Self-paced imitation revealed stronger connections than stimulus-paced imitation, highlighting neural synchrony in social interactions.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Science
  • Social Interaction Research

Background:

  • Investigating interpersonal neural dynamics is crucial for understanding social cognition.
  • Simultaneous brain recordings offer unique insights into dyadic interactions.
  • Previous research often relies on single-brain measurements, limiting the study of interactive processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the hemodynamic correlates of between-brain connectivity during imitation.
  • To examine how pacing stimuli influence neural synchrony in dyadic interactions.
  • To validate wireless functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) for two-person neuroscience.

Main Methods:

  • Simultaneous wireless fNIRS recordings from two participants performing a paced finger-tapping task.

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New Framework for Understanding Cross-Brain Coherence in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Hyperscanning Studies
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New Framework for Understanding Cross-Brain Coherence in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Hyperscanning Studies

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study
04:44

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study

Published on: July 21, 2021

fMRI Validation of fNIRS Measurements During a Naturalistic Task
10:36

fMRI Validation of fNIRS Measurements During a Naturalistic Task

Published on: June 15, 2015

New Framework for Understanding Cross-Brain Coherence in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Hyperscanning Studies
05:59

New Framework for Understanding Cross-Brain Coherence in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Hyperscanning Studies

Published on: October 6, 2023

  • Imitation (IM) condition with a model and imitator, contrasted with a control (CO) condition of individuals performing alone.
  • Wavelet transform coherence (WTC) and Granger-causality (G-causality) analyses to assess functional and effective connectivity.

    • Main Results:

    • Imitation significantly increased inter-brain coherence and Granger-causality compared to the control condition.
    • Self-paced imitation (Se-P) showed greater coherence increases than stimulus-paced imitation (St-P).
    • In imitation, the model's brain activity Granger-caused the imitator's activity more than vice versa.

    Conclusions:

    • Wireless fNIRS is a viable tool for measuring between-brain connectivity during real-time social interactions.
    • Simultaneous brain monitoring reveals neural patterns in social dynamics not observable in single-person studies.
    • The findings underscore the potential of two-person neuroscience for diverse research areas involving social interactions.