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A neuroimaging study of interpersonal distance in identical and fraternal twins

Authors :
Jörgen Rosén
Granit Kastrati
Ralf Kuja‐Halkola
Henrik Larsson
Fredrik Åhs
Source :
Human Brain Mapping. 43:3508-3523
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Wiley, 2022.

Abstract

Keeping appropriate interpersonal distance is an evolutionary conserved behavior that can be adapted based on learning. Detailed knowledge on how interpersonal space is represented in the brain and whether such representation is genetically influenced is lacking. We measured brain function using functional magnetic resonance imaging in 294 twins (71 monozygotic, 76 dizygotic pairs) performing a distance task where neural responses to human figures were compared to cylindrical blocks. Proximal viewing distance of human figures was compared to cylinders facilitated responses in the occipital face area (OFA) and the superficial part of the amygdala, which is consistent with these areas playing a role in monitoring interpersonal distance. Using the classic twin method, we observed a genetic influence on interpersonal distance related activation in the OFA, but not in the amygdala. Results suggest that genetic factors may influence interpersonal distance monitoring via the OFA whereas the amygdala may play a role in experience-dependent adjustments of interpersonal distance.

Details

ISSN :
10970193 and 10659471
Volume :
43
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Human Brain Mapping
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....1fcf50f7f52d28cbc8529bd561d6a6ee
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.25864