Amplitude envelope correlations measure synchronous cortical oscillations in performing musicians. Issue 1 (14th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zamm, Anna; Debener, Stefan; Bauer, Anna‐Katharina R.; Bleichner, Martin G.; Demos, Alexander P.; Palmer, Caroline
• Is Part Of: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Volume 1423:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 251
• Page End: 263
• Publication Date: 2018-05-14
• Subjects: amplitude envelope -- interbrain synchrony -- music performance -- joint action -- temporal coordination; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13738
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0077-8923

Abstract

Abstract: A major question facing cognitive neuroscience is measurement of interbrain synchrony between individuals performing joint actions. We describe the application of a novel method for measuring musicians' interbrain synchrony: amplitude envelope correlations (AECs). Amplitude envelopes (AEs) reflect energy fluctuations in cortical oscillations over time; AE correlations measure the degree to which two envelope fluctuations are temporally correlated, such as cortical oscillations arising from two individuals performing a joint action. Wireless electroencephalography was recorded from two pianists performing a musical duet; an analysis pipeline is described for computing AEs of cortical oscillations at the duet performance frequency (number of tones produced per second) to test whether these oscillations reflect the temporal dynamics of partners' performances. The pianists' AE correlations were compared with correlations based on a distribution of AEs simulated from white noise signals using the same methods. The AE method was also applied to the temporal characteristics of the pianists' performances, to show that the observed pair's AEs reflect the temporal dynamics of their performance. AE correlations offer a promising approach for assessing interbrain correspondences in cortical activity associated with performing joint tasks. Abstract : Many joint actions, from ensemble music performance to team sports, require that multiple individuals coordinate the timing of actions with one another. A major question facing cognitive neuroscience is measurement of interbrain synchrony between individuals performing joint actions. This paper describes the application of a novel method for measuring musicians' interbrain synchrony: amplitude envelope correlations.