Mechanism underlying synchronization of brain activity: Comments on Sadato’s article

Abstract

Studies using hyperscanning have reported coordination of behaviors among 2 persons who ­performed interactive tasks. Synchronization of brain activity is an underlying mechanism of behavioral coordination. This article proposes a mathematical model (the “Kuramoto model”) which describes a phenome­non called entrainment of oscillator to explain how synchronization of brain activity emerges and which factors affect brain synchronization. A model, including 4 oscillators (inferior frontal gyri and middle temporal gyri in 2 persons) suggested that 1) similarity of oscillation frequencies in brain regions is critical for synchronization of brain activity, 2) patients on the autism spectrum might have different oscillation frequencies in their brain regions resulting in impairment of fluent communication, and 3) learning of important pathways from one person to another person can facilitate synchronization of brain activity, and thus probably can improve communication and behavioral coordination.