A Neuroimaging Study of Interpersonal Distance in Identical and Fraternal Twins

Overview

Journal Hum Brain Mapp

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Neurology

Date 2022 Apr 13

PMID 35417056

Authors

Jorgen Rosen

Granit Kastrati

Ralf Kuja-Halkola

Henrik Larsson

Fredrik Ahs

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

Citing Articles

A neuroimaging study of interpersonal distance in identical and fraternal twins.

Rosen J, Kastrati G, Kuja-Halkola R, Larsson H, Ahs F Hum Brain Mapp. 2022; 43(11):3508-3523.

PMID: 35417056 PMC: 9248319. DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25864.

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