Dance of two brains: Interval subdivision in alternated condition enhances resistance to interference by others

• Published in: NeuroImage (Orlando, Fla.) Vol. 298; p. 120788
• Main Authors: Niu, Ruoyu, Xu, Xiaodan, Tang, Weicai, Xiao, Yi, Tang, Rixin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.09.2024; Elsevier Limited; Elsevier
• Subjects: Behavior; Brain research; Cooperation; Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; Entrainment; Information processing; Infrared spectroscopy; Interpersonal brain synchronization; Performance evaluation; Prefrontal cortex; Sensorimotor synchronization; Sensorimotor system; Social interaction; Synchronization; Synchronization-continuation tapping task; Temporal lobe; Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; Sensorimotor synchronization; Entrainment; Synchronization-continuation tapping task; Interpersonal brain synchronization
• ISSN: 1053-8119; 1095-9572; 1095-9572
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120788

•Different intra- and inter-brain mechanisms exist in two stable relative phases.•Interval subdivision effects can resist interference in social interactions.•Comparable between 400 ms and 800 ms, while dropping significantly at 1600 ms.•Mutual interference is due to the inability to exchange information through IBS.•Left dlPFC is considered as a key brain region for sensorimotor synchronization. The accomplishment of interpersonal sensorimotor synchronization is a challenging endeavor because it requires the achievement of a balance between accurate temporal control within individuals and smooth communication between them. This raises a critical question: How does the brain comprehend and process the perceptual information of others to guarantee accurate temporal control of action goals in a social context? A joint synchronization - continuation tapping task was conducted together with varying relative phases (0°/180°) and intervals of tempos (400 ms/800 ms/1600 ms) while neural data was collected using fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy). Individuals showed better behavioral performance and greater interpersonal brain synchronization(IBS) in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at alternated condition (180° relative phase) compared to symmetric condition (0° relative phase), suggesting that the individual can better maintain behavioral performance and show improved IBS when the partner taps between the individual's gaps. Meanwhile, in most levels of alternated condition, IBS is inversely proportional to interference from partner, implying the counteraction of IBS against interference from others. In addition, when the interval of tempo was 1600 ms, behavioral performance showed a sharp decline, accompanied by a decrease in IBS, reflecting that IBS in SMS reflects effective information exchange between individuals rather than ineffective interference with each other. This study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying sensorimotor synchronization between individuals.