Parent-Child Neural Similarity and Synchrony: Toward an Integrative Framework

In recent years, a growing body of research has demonstrated that parents' and children's brains often exhibit neural similarity and synchrony during shared activities, emotional exchanges, and everyday interactions. This interbrain alignment offers a novel window into the mechanisms through which social connection, caregiving, and development unfold. In this review, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of studies investigating parent-child neural similarity and synchrony, drawing on diverse neuroimaging tools, including functional magnetic resonance imaging, functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and electroencephalography. To bring conceptual clarity to this rapidly growing field, we introduce a 2 × 2 framework that categorizes research contexts along two key dimensions: level of interaction (low vs. high) and emotional salience (low vs. high). Using this framework, we organize and interpret the empirical literature, highlighting consistent findings, methodological variations, and developmental implications across different types of parent-child engagement. This framework not only helps structure existing knowledge but also reveals context-specific understanding in the literature. Finally, we outline future directions that emphasize the importance of longitudinal designs, cultural diversity, multimodal imaging, and expanding beyond the dyadic unit. This review aims to deepen the understanding of how neural alignment within families supports learning, emotion regulation, and social development across the life span.