DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOCOL FOR FNIRS HYPERSCANNING DATA COLLECTION IN MOTHER-INFANT DYADS

• Grant number: 25/06180-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Human Development Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Ana Alexandra Caldas Osório
• Grantee: Beatriz Pacheco Bispo
• Supervisor: Stefanie Hoehl
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM). Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Vienna, Austria
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/20665-1 - Development of a protocol for fNIRS hyperscanning data collection in mother-infant dyads, BP.IC

Abstract

Hyperscanning has emerged as a promising approach in neurodevelopmental research, enabling the simultaneous assessment of brain activity during naturalistic human interactions. While this method has been applied across various social paradigms, its use in studying interpersonal neural synchronization (INS) in adult-infant interactions remains limited, with a lack of standardized guidelines. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has become a preferred tool for hyperscanning due to its non-invasive nature, resilience to motion artifacts, and suitability for studying infants. Research suggests that INS plays a crucial role in early social interactions, contributing to attachment, self-regulation, and social development. However, fNIRS studies involving parent-infant dyads face challenges such as high attrition rates and variability in methodological choices, leading to inconsistencies in data quality and reproducibility. The absence of standardized protocols further complicates data collection and interpretation. Establishing clear guidelines for pediatric fNIRS hyperscanning could improve methodological rigor, reduce data loss, and enhance the reliability of findings in social and developmental neuroscience. The goal of this proposal is to develop a protocol for fNIRS hyperscanning data collection among 6-month-old infants and their mothers.