Techniques
Real Time Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rt-fMRI)
Our research team is currently implementing real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (real-time fMRI) on a GE 3 Tesla scanner. Real-time fMRI is an advanced neuroimaging technique that enables simultaneous measurement and observation of brain activity while people perform tasks. This approach allows us to noninvasively modulate brain activity in specific brain regions, providing a unique opportunity to examine its causal influence on behavior.
Kinematics
Most of our previous studies have investigated the kinematic features of actions conveying different VFs within non-naturalistic experimental settings (with visual or auditory stimuli). Moving forward, we aim to investigate these kinematic signatures in more ecologically valid contexts, focusing on real human–human and human–robot interactions. We record these action features using motion capture systems (Optitrack V120 Trio, Vicon, and MR_cam). These systems track body movements by detecting passive markers placed on specific anatomical landmarks (for example the right hand).
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References
Di Cesare G., De Stefani E., Gentilucci, and De Marco D. (2017). Vitality Forms Expressed by Others Modulate Our Own Motor Response: A Kinematic Study. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 11:565.
Psychophysics
To study the mechanisms underlying the perception of VFs we use psychophysics parameters such as estimation times and reaction times. For example, it has been shown that vocal requests conveying different forms of vitality can influence the perception of goal-directed actions by affecting the estimation of action duration.
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References
Di Cesare, G., Pelosi, A., Aresta, S. M., Lombardi, G., & Sciutti, A. (2021). Affective contagion: How attitudes expressed by others influence our perception of actions. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 15, 712550.
Physiological Measurements
Physiological techniques use a range of methodologies and instrumentation to measure and analyze physiological variables, providing quantitative data on the on functions . Some of the techniques we are currently using are the electrocardiogram (ECG), to record the electrical activity of the heart, and electromyography (EMG), to record the electrical activity of muscles. The use of ECG in the field of vitality forms is currently under development while the application of the EMG technique can be seen in the study conducted by Rizzolatti et al. (2021). This work has shown that a handshake made in a rude or gentle manner induces increased activation of the dorso-central insula. Electromyographic recording was used to profile muscle responses.
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References
Rizzolatti, G., D’Alessio, A., Marchi, M., & Di Cesare, G. (2021). The neural bases of tactile vitality forms and their modulation by social context. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 9095.