Hyperscanning to explore social interaction among autistic minds

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Hyperscanning, simultaneously monitoring brain activity in multiple individuals, is crucial for understanding social interaction.
• Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is well-suited for naturalistic hyperscanning studies.
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research has underutilized neuroimaging hyperscanning techniques, particularly fNIRS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing fNIRS hyperscanning findings on brain-behavior links in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• To propose a theoretical framework for inter-brain coherence (IBC) in individuals with ASD.
• To identify key research areas for social-emotional development in autistic children using hyperscanning.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of published fNIRS hyperscanning studies focusing on autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Development of a theoretical framework for inter-brain coherence (IBC) tailored to ASD.
• Identification of relevant contexts for future hyperscanning research, including family and classroom settings.

Main Results:

• Existing fNIRS hyperscanning studies offer insights into brain-behavior relationships in ASD.
• A preliminary framework for understanding inter-brain coherence (IBC) in ASD is proposed.
• Specific applications for social-emotional development in autistic children are highlighted.

Conclusions:

• fNIRS hyperscanning holds significant potential for advancing our understanding of social interaction in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Further research on inter-brain coherence (IBC) in ASD is warranted, with applications in family and educational settings.
• This perspective provides a foundation for future neuroimaging research on social deficits in autism.