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New Framework for Understanding Cross-Brain Coherence in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Hyperscanning Studies
Published on: October 6, 2023
Between-brain coherence during joint n-back task performance: a two-person functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Lukas Dommer1, Natalie Jäger, Felix Scholkmann
1Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory, Division of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. lukas.dommer@uzh.ch
Behavioural Brain Research
|July 4, 2012
Summary
This study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity in paired players. Two-person neuroscience revealed increased brain-to-brain connectivity during joint tasks, even without improved performance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Investigating interpersonal dynamics requires methods to measure simultaneous brain activity.
- Two-person neuroscience offers a novel approach to understand social cognition and collaboration.
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a promising tool for mobile and non-invasive brain monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the hemodynamic correlates of between-brain connectivity during joint task performance.
- To assess the feasibility of using wireless fNIRS for simultaneous brain recording in paired individuals.
- To investigate differences in brain activity and connectivity between paired and single players during a cognitive task.
Main Methods:
- Wireless functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was employed to record brain signals from paired and single players.
- Participants performed a dual n-back task.
- Wavelet transform coherence (WTC) analysis was used to evaluate functional connectivity between the brains of paired players.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in between-brain coherence was observed during joint task performance compared to baseline, particularly in heart rate (HR) and low-frequency oscillations (LFOs).
- Paired players showed larger changes in total hemoglobin concentration ([tHb]) compared to single players and during task performance versus rest/baseline.
- No significant improvement in behavioral performance was found for paired players compared to single players.
Conclusions:
- fNIRS is a suitable tool for monitoring interpersonal performances and detecting between-brain connectivity.
- Two-person performance elicits significant neural effects detectable through inter-brain connectivity analysis.
- Simultaneous assessment of hemodynamic responses provides insights into interpersonal activation patterns relevant for various experimental paradigms.
