Revealing the neurobiology underlying interpersonal neural synchronization with multimodal data fusion. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lotter, Leon D.; Kohl, Simon H.; Gerloff, Christian; Bell, Laura; Niephaus, Alexandra; Kruppa, Jana A.; Dukart, Juergen; Schulte-Rüther, Martin; Reindl, Vanessa; Konrad, Kerstin
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 146(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Interpersonal neural synchronization -- Hyperscanning -- Activation likelihood estimation -- FMRI -- FNIRS -- Excitation/inhibition -- GABA -- Multimodal data fusion; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Abstract: Humans synchronize with one another to foster successful interactions. Here, we use a multimodal data fusion approach with the aim of elucidating the neurobiological mechanisms by which interpersonal neural synchronization (INS) occurs. Our meta-analysis of 22 functional magnetic resonance imaging and 69 near-infrared spectroscopy hyperscanning experiments (740 and 3721 subjects) revealed robust brain regional correlates of INS in the right temporoparietal junction and left ventral prefrontal cortex. Integrating this meta-analytic information with public databases, biobehavioral and brain-functional association analyses suggested that INS involves sensory-integrative hubs with functional connections to mentalizing and attention networks. On the molecular and genetic levels, we found INS to be associated with GABAergic neurotransmission and layer IV/V neuronal circuits, protracted developmental gene expression patterns, and disorders of neurodevelopment. Although limited by the indirect nature of phenotypic-molecular association analyses, our findings generate new testable hypotheses on the neurobiological basis of INS. Highlights: When we interact, both our behavior and our neural activity synchronize. Neuroimaging meta-analysis and multimodal data fusion may reveal neural mechanisms. Robust involvement of right temporoparietal and left prefrontal brain regions. Associations to attention and mentalizing, GABA and layer IV/V neurotransmission. Brain-wide associated genes are enriched in neurodevelopmental disorders.