HyperOptoNet: a MATLAB-based toolbox for inter-brain neuronal synchrony analysis using fNIRS hyperscanning

Significance: We developed a MATLAB-based toolbox for the analysis of inter-brain synchrony (IBS) and performed an experimental study to confirm its performance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first toolbox for IBS based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning data that visually shows the results on two three-dimensional (3D) head models.

Aim: Research on IBS using fNIRS hyperscanning is a nascent but expanding field. Although various analysis toolboxes for fNIRS exist, none can show inter-brain neuronal synchrony on a 3D head model. In 2019 and 2020, we released two MATLAB toolboxes named OptoNet I and II, which have helped researchers to analyze functional brain networks using fNIRS. We developed a MATLAB-based toolbox named HyperOptoNet to overcome the limitation of the previous OptoNet series.

Approach: The developed HyperOptoNet can easily analyze inter-brain cortical connectivity using fNIRS hyperscanning signals simultaneously measured from two people at the same time. The connectivity results can be easily recognized by representing inter-brain neuronal synchrony with colored lines that are visually expressed on two standard head models.

Results: To evaluate the performance of the developed toolbox, we conducted an fNIRS hyperscanning study of 32 healthy adults. The fNIRS hyperscanning data were measured while the subjects performed traditional, paper-and-pencil-based, cognitive tasks or interactive, computer-assisted, cognitive tasks (ICT). The results visualized different inter-brain synchronization patterns according to the interactive nature of the given tasks; a more extensive inter-brain network was seen with the ICT.

Conclusions: The developed toolbox has good performance of IBS analysis and helps even unskilled researchers to easily analyze fNIRS hyperscanning data.