Paper Info
Title
Neural correlates of online cooperation during joint force production.
Abstract
During joint action, two or more persons depend on each other to accomplish a goal. This mutual recursion, or circular dependency, is one of the characteristics of cooperation. To evaluate the neural substrates of cooperation, we conducted a hyperscanning functional MRI study in which 19 dyads performed a joint force-production task. The goal of the task was to match their average grip forces to the target value (20% of their maximum grip forces) through visual feedback over a 30-s period; the task required taking into account other-produced force to regulate the self-generated one in real time, which represented cooperation. Time-series data of the dyad's exerted grip forces were recorded, and the noise contribution ratio (NCR), a measure of influence from the partner, was computed using a multivariate autoregressive model to identify the degree to which each participant's grip force was explained by that of their partner's, i.e., the degree of cooperation. Compared with the single force-production task, the joint task enhanced the NCR and activated the mentalizing system, including the medial prefrontal cortex, precuneus, and bilateral posterior subdivision of the temporoparietal junction (TPJ). In addition, specific activation of the anterior subdivision of the right TPJ significantly and positively correlated with the NCR across participants during the joint task. The effective connectivity of the anterior to posterior TPJ was upregulated when participants coordinated their grip forces. Finally, the joint task enhanced cross-brain functional connectivity of the right anterior TPJ, indicating shared attention toward the temporal patterns of the motor output of the partner. Since the posterior TPJ is part of the mentalizing system for tracking the intention of perceived agents, our findings indicate that cooperation, i.e., the degree of adjustment of individual motor output depending on that of the partner, is mediated by the interconnected subdivisions of the right TPJ.
Year
DOI
Venue
2019
10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.02.003
NeuroImage
Keywords
Field
DocType
Hyperscanning fMRI,Cooperation,Temporo-parietal-junction,Joint action
Neural correlates of consciousness,Precuneus,Mentalization,Right anterior,Prefrontal cortex,Cognitive psychology,Psychology,Temporoparietal junction,Dyad,Grip force
Journal
Volume
ISSN
Citations 
191
1053-8119
2
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.38
0
7
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Masaki O Abe171.36
Takahiko Koike2273.72
Shuntaro Okazaki321.05
Sho K. Sugawara4111.37
Kohske Takahashi520.38
Katsumi Watanabe61816.97
Norihiro Sadato711018.48