A new methodical approach in neuroscience: assessing inter-personal brain coupling using functional near-infrared imaging (fNIRI) hyperscanning

• Published in: Frontiers in human neuroscience Vol. 7; p. 813
• Main Authors: Scholkmann, Felix, Holper, Lisa, Wolf, Ursula, Wolf, Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Research Foundation 27.11.2013; Frontiers Media S.A
• Subjects: Brain mapping; Brain research; brain-to-brain coupling; Electroencephalography; Functional magnetic resonance imaging; Functional near-infrared imaging; hyperconnectivity; hyperscanning; I.R. radiation; inter-personal brain activity; Medical imaging; Nervous system; Neurobiology; Neuroimaging; Neuroscience; Neurosciences; Posture; Social interaction; social neuroscience; Spectrum analysis; Studies; Teaching; Switzerland; functional near-infrared imaging; social neuroscience; brain-to-brain coupling; hyperconnectivity; hyperscanning; inter-personal brain activity
• ISSN: 1662-5161; 1662-5161
• DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00813

Since the first demonstration of how to simultaneously measure brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on two subjects about 10 years ago, a new paradigm in neuroscience is emerging: measuring brain activity from two or more people simultaneously, termed "hyperscanning". The hyperscanning approach has the potential to reveal inter-personal brain mechanisms underlying interaction-mediated brain-to-brain coupling. These mechanisms are engaged during real social interactions, and cannot be captured using single-subject recordings. In particular, functional near-infrared imaging (fNIRI) hyperscanning is a promising new method, offering a cost-effective, easy to apply and reliable technology to measure inter-personal interactions in a natural context. In this short review we report on fNIRI hyperscanning studies published so far and summarize opportunities and challenges for future studies.