Elucidation of the neural basis of interpersonal synchronisation by hyperscanning EEG-fMRI

• Project/Area Number: 17K13177
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Sports science
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo (2019); National Institute for Physiological Sciences (2017-2018)
• Principal Investigator: Miyata Kohei 東京大学, 大学院総合文化研究科, 助教 (30792171)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2019)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000)
• Keywords: imitation / hyperscanning / fMRI / action representation / mirror system / 運動同調 / 表情模倣 / Hyperscanning fMRI / Interpersonal / Entrainment / Hyperscanning EEG-fMRI

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The shared intention of actions, "How", is important for interpersonal coordination. In the present study, we used a facial expression imitation task to investigate the neural basis involved in sharing action intentions and emotions (facial expressions). Combining behavioral analysis techniques with Hyperscanning-fMRI techniques, we found that the activity of the right inferior parietal lobule is synchronised in relation to pair-specific behavioural similarities. This result suggests that the inferior parietal lobule, part of the mirror neuron system, plays an important role in the shared intention of actions.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ミラーニューロンシステムは自分の行為の時、また他者の行為の観察の時に活動することが知られてきたが、自他の間で同じような活動パターンを示すかについては不明であった。本研究は、模倣中に右下頭頂小葉でペア特異的な活動の類似性があることを明らかにした。この類似性は「なにをするか（What）」ではなく、Howという運動の意図が共有されたことによって生じた。Howという運動の意図共有は相手の意図理解や共感において重要であり、本研究の成果は社会性障害の神経機序の理解へ貢献することが期待される。

Research Products

• [Int'l Joint Research] The MARCS Institute(オーストラリア)
• [Journal Article] Interpersonal visual interaction induces local and global stabilisation of rhythmic coordination (2018)
  • Author(s): Miyata Kohei、Varlet Manuel、Miura Akito、Kudo Kazutoshi、Keller Peter E.
  • Journal Title: Neuroscience Letters Volume: 682 Pages: 132-136
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.07.024
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Shared and distinct neural correlates of being imitated and imitating: A hyper-scanning fMRI study. (2019)
  • Author(s): Kohei Miyata, Takahiko Koike, Eri Nakagawa, Tokiko Harada, Motofumi Sumiya, Tetsuya Yamamoto, and Norihiro Sadato.
  • Organizer: 25th Annual Meeting of The Organization for Human Brain Mapping
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Two brains resonate with each other for sharing action in imitative interaction: A hyper-scanning fMRI study. (2019)
  • Author(s): Kohei Miyata, Takahiko Koike, Eri Nakagawa, Tokiko Harada, Motofumi Sumiya, Tetsuya Yamamoto, and Norihiro Sadato.
  • Organizer: Joint Action Meeting VIII
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] An fMRI investigation on the positive consequences of being imitated by a virtual nonhuman agent (2018)
  • Author(s): Sato, H., Numata, T., Asa, Y., Koike, T., Miyata, K., Nakagawa, E., Sumiya, M., and Sadato, N.
  • Organizer: Society for Neuroscience 2018
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] The imagination of self-relevant emotional events activates rostral anterior cingulate cortex (2018)
  • Author(s): Miyata, K., Oboshi, Y., Koike, T. & Sadato, N.
  • Organizer: The Organization for Human Brain Mapping Annual Meeting 2018
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Neural correlates of being imitated and imitating: a hyperscanning fMRI study. (2017)
  • Author(s): Miyata, K., Koike, T., Nakagawa, E., Harada, T., Sumiya, M. & Sadato, N.
  • Organizer: Society for Neuroscience (SfN) 2017
  • Int'l Joint Research