2023/01/11 by Leon D. Lotter, Simon H. Kohl, Christian Gerloff +7 · 1 voice
Neuroscience · Psychology · #Functional Brain Connectivity Studies #Neural dynamics and brain function #Action Observation and Synchronization
paper · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105042
openalex publication_date 2023/01/11 · openalex created_date 2023/01/12 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
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.