Hyperscanning Alone Cannot Prove Causality. Multibrain Stimulation Can

Giacomo Novembre; Gian Domenico Iannetti

doi:10.1016/j.tics.2020.11.003

Hyperscanning Alone Cannot Prove Causality. Multibrain Stimulation Can

Trends Cogn Sci. 2021 Feb;25(2):96-99. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2020.11.003. Epub 2020 Dec 5.

Authors

Giacomo Novembre¹, Gian Domenico Iannetti²

Affiliations

¹ Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology, Rome, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, UK. Electronic address: giacomo.novembre@iit.it.
² Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology, Rome, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, UK. Electronic address: giandomenico.iannetti@iit.it.

Abstract

Brains that work together, couple together through interbrain synchrony. Does interbrain synchrony causally facilitate social interaction? This question cannot be answered by simply recording from multiple brains (hyperscanning). It instead requires causal protocols entailing their simultaneous stimulation (multibrain stimulation). We highlight promising findings and future horizons of this nascent field.

Keywords: causality; hyperscanning; joint action; multibrain stimulation; social interaction.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Brain
Brain Mapping*
Electroencephalography*
Humans
Social Interaction

Grants and funding

WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom