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Objective: This project was devised for evaluating and highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on the management of basic and clinical research activities conducted by the Italian laboratories of neuroscience, neurophysiology, and clinical neuropsychology during the pandemic and post-emergency phases. Participants and Methods: A total of 254 laboratories/units have been mapped on the Italian territory and clustered based on location, primary research field, and category of institution. A survey was designed including five different sections: i) consensus and introduction; ii) general data con the institution and the respondent and pre-pandemic phase; iii) research activity during Phase 1 – first lockdown (from February to May 2020); iv) research activity during Phase 2 – second lockdown (October 2020 to May 2021); and v) summary evaluations of the pandemic period (overall considerations regarding both Phase 1 and Phase 2). The survey was implemented on the Qualtrics XM platform and sent to the mapped centers and disseminated through the main Italian neuropsychological scientific societies. Results: Focusing on the sample of survey respondents, which almost equally represented primarily healthcare/clinical research professionals (53%) and primarily basic research professionals (47%), it is relevant to note that just about one-fourth of them reported the existence of emergency management guidelines to help strategic decision-making and inform the rearrangement of lab/unit activities in case of a disease outbreak, a percentage that has grown up to 94% after the COVID-19 emergency. This led to a closure rate equal to 92% for purely research laboratories/units during Phase 1, compared to 52% of mixed clinical and research units and 60% of primarily clinical units. A similar –though more restrained– scenario was observed even in Phase 2, with 44% of purely research units still closed, vs. 5% of mixed units and 10% or primarily clinical ones. Another impactful observation emer

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Recently, the use of wearable devices and neurotechnologies for well-being and neurocognitive empowerment has increased, allowing users to achieve better awareness and control of their mindset and mood states. We present an overview of main results from a research line on the effectiveness of an intensive training protocol supported by wearable neurofeedback devices in the field of neurocognitive empowerment and stress management. Specifically, the potential of such neurotechnology-supported training was tested by collecting behavioural, psychometric, neuropsychological, and physiological outcomes and comparing experimental and active control groups. The protocol was tested in different experimental and applied contexts—including sports, workplace, and healthy aging. Based on the multi-level assessment of training outcomes, results highlighted the effectiveness of using intensive neurotechnology-mediated protocols to enhance focusing and attention regulation skills and to reduce anxiety/stress levels while increasing mental vigour, hinting at the potential of such new technologies for neurocognitive empowerment.

Objective: Previous neuroscientific research explored howboth moral values and economic scenarios can influence individuals’ brain activity. This study investigated the relationship between peripheral and neural activity during fairness and unfairness perception in moral and economic conditions. Method: Thirty-one participants underwent a modified version of the Ultimatum Game, which proposed various offers (fair, unfair, equal) concerning two different contexts: economic and moral conditions. During the task, the peripheral (heart rate [HR], skin conductance level/response [SCL, SCR]) and central (oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin [O2Hb, HHb]) individuals’ responses were recorded using the autonomic indices recording and functional near-infrared spectroscopy. The peripheral activity was correlated with motivational systems (Behavioral Inhibition/Activation System[ BIS/BAS]) and individuals’ personality traits. Results: Findings highlighted a positive correlation between SCL and O2Hb in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) during fair, unfair, and equal offers in the economic condition and a negative correlation between SCL and O2Hb in the dmPFC for fair and equal offers in the moral condition. Also, HR negatively correlated with HHb in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during the presentation of equal and unfair offers in the economic condition. Finally, correlations between SCL and BAS subscales (Drive and Fun Seeking) and SCR and emotional stability trait suggested the link between motivation and emotional regulation during different conditions. Conclusions: In conclusion, the relationship between autonomic, central activity, and motivational and personality traits in moral and economic offers’ condition was discussed in light of different brain networks supporting these processes

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Recently, the neurosciences have become interested in the investigation of neural responses associated with the use of gestures. This study focuses on the relationship between the intrabrain and inter-brain connectivity mechanisms underlying the execution of different categories of gestures (positive and negative affective, social, and informative) characterizing non-verbal interactions between thirteen couples of subjects, each composed of an encoder and a decoder. The study results underline a similar modulation of intra- and inter-brain connectivity for alpha, delta, and theta frequency bands in specific areas (frontal or posterior regions) depending on the type of gesture. Moreover, taking into account the gestures’ valence (positive or negative), a similar modulation of intra- and inter-brain connectivity in the left and right sides was observed. This study showed congruence in the intra-brain and inter-brain connectivity trend during the execution of different gestures, underlining how non-verbal exchanges might be characterized by intra-brain phase alignment and implicit mechanisms of mirroring and synchronization between the two individuals involved in the social exchange.

In recent years, sustainability has received significant interest from companies and structures that have adopted new marketing and business models to improve the living conditions of the environment and consumers. Given the growing interest and attention, the issue of sustainability has been investigated by different disciplines, such as neuroscience, which have proved useful for investigating the emotional responses and cognitive processes of individuals, allowing us to understand the relationship between consumers and sustainability better. In this regard, this paper offers an overview on the topic of sustainability in a specific sector, such as tourism marketing, on the use of neuroscience to investigate sustainability and on the application of a multimethodological paradigm, involving the use of electroencephalography (EEG) and biofeedback, to measure individuals’ electroencephalographic and autonomic activity during the exploration of a green hotel.

Background: Industry 4.0 aims at developing collaborative robotic technology (co-bot) to improve efficiency, ergonomics and safety in the workplace. Aims: The aim of this contribution was to propose a quality-cycle to optimize human robot interaction (HRI) for co-bot technology and highlighting if the perceived cognitive effort and spatial perception change in HRI compared to human-to-human interactions. Methods: Based on the Deming quality-cycle and the concept of neuro-industrial engineering, we selected the following neuroscientific dimensions which should be integrated in the quality cycle for co-bot designing: fatigue, executive functions, attentional coordination, selective attention and space perception. Regarding the latter, we propose the consideration of peripersonal and extrapersonal dimensions. Results: The outcome is a four-phases cycle composed by the first step (planning) where a compartmentalization of the industrial processes is made and the brain-computer interface and neuroscientific methods are selected based on the type of HRI [e.g. to assess cognitive and emotional planning, (a/h)/b or (a/h)/(a?b) ratios in the frontal and central brain can be selected]. In the second phase (doing) virtual/real scenarios are executed while data is retrieved. In the third phase (modelling) data are used to create bottom-up models, which will be tested again in the future. Finally, in the last phase (change), evidence-based adjustments are implemented. Conclusion: An integrated perspective, which considers the worker from a holistic viewpoint, as the one presented, might make co-bots more human-oriented, leading to increased efficiency and safety by using data on human perception and spatial representation.

Background: In the last years, marketing has adopted new sustainable market strategies to limit the adverse effects of products and environments improving individuals’ living conditions and environmental well-being. The effects of adopting these new approaches have recently been investigated thanks to neuroscience’s contribution able to provide information about cognitive and emotional mechanisms related to consumers’ behaviors. Aims: In order to investigate consumer behavior towards the adoption of a sustainable approach in tourism marketing, a neuroscientific paradigm, consisting in the use of electroencephalography (EEG) to record individuals’ neural responses, has been implemented to understand individuals’ cognitive processes during the exploration of a green hotel. Methods: In particular, neural correlates of a sample of 19 healthy subjects were collected through the use of EEG, for the recording of fronto-central and temporo-parietal activity. Specifically, participants were asked to explore four different areas of the hotel (restaurant, bedroom, hall, and bar) composed of eco-friendly elements. Results: The results of the study revealed a different cortical activation concerning the activity of EEG alpha, beta, delta, and theta frequency bands during the exploration of the green hotel spaces, with an increase in temporoparietal beta and theta activity. This result underlines an increase in individuals’ attentional and cognitive processing and emotional engagement during the exploration of the environment. Conclusion:These results allow us to underline how the application of a neuroscientific paradigm is useful for investigating individuals’ attitudes and preferences to design spaces that are both ergonomic and comfortable but attentive to the issue of sustainability

Recently, social neurosciences have been interested in the investigation of neurophysiological responses related to the experience of positive emotions, such as gratitude, during social interactions. Specifically, the aim of the present research was to investigate whether gratitude related to gift exchange could favor cooperative behavior and bond construction, by improving behavioral and autonomic responsivity. At this regard, the autonomic synchronization and behavioral performance of 16 friends coupled in dyads were recorded during a joint attentional task. Gift exchange could be occurred either at the beginning or in the middle of the task. For the recording of simultaneous autonomic activity [heart rate (HR) and skin conductance level (SCL)], a hyperscanning biofeedback paradigm was used. Intra-subjective analysis showed an increase in behavioral [accuracy (ACC)] and autonomic responses (HR and SCL) when the gift exchange took place at the beginning of the task rather than in the middle. Moreover, inter-subjective analysis revealed an increase in behavioral performance and greater autonomic synchronization of HR index. The present research, therefore, shows how gratitude and trust experienced following gift exchange can modify participants’ reactions by creating a shared cognition and the adoption of joint strategies.

Gestural communication characterizes daily individuals’ interactions in order to share information and to modify others’ behavior. Social neuroscience has investigated the neural bases which support recognizing of different gestures. The present research, through the use of the hyperscanning approach, that allows the simultaneously recording of the activity of two or more individuals involved in a joint action, aims to investigate the neural bases of gestural communication. Moreover, by using hyperscanning paradigm we explore the inter-brain connectivity between two inter-agents, the one who performed the gesture (encoder) and the one who received it (decoder), with functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) during the reproduction of affective, social and informative gestures with positive and negative valence. Result showed an increase in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration (O2Hb) and inter-brain connectivity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for affective gestures, in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG) for social gestures and the frontal eye fields (FEF) for informative gestures, for both encoder and decoder. Furthermore, it emerged that positive gestures activate more the left DLPFC, with an increase in inter-brain connectivity in DLPFC and SFG. The present study revealed the relevant function of the type and valence of gestures in affecting intra- and inter-brain connectivity.

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Objective: Recently the interest in neuroscience has allowed us to investigate the neural correlates underlying different social interactional contexts, such as prosocial behavior. The present study aimed to observe the behavioral synchronization underlying the cognitive performance and brain-to-brain coupling mechanisms during a co-operative task, through an hyperscanning paradigm (coupled participants, donors, and receivers), involving a gift exchange. Method: To this aim, neural activity was recorded through the use of electroencephalography (EEG) and hemodynamic brain activity (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy—fNIRS). The neural and behavioral (performance accuracy—ACC and reaction times—RTs) measures were subsequently correlated among them to test the direct correspondence and the correlation of these three levels. Results: From the results, an increase in behavioral synchronization has emerged, with an improved performance after the gift exchange. Moreover, an increase of neural (EEG, fNIRS) interbrain connectivity has emerged after gift exchange, with a maximum of brain-to-brain coupling in the frontal area for EEG delta and theta bands and hemodynamic activity. Finally, a direct correlation between behavioral, EEG, and fNIRS data has emerged. Conclusion: Thus, prosocial behavior is able to improve the cognitive-behavioral performance and electrophysiological and hemodynamic interindividual synchronization, showing the direct relationship between this three-order synchronization.

The digitalization process for organizations, which was inevitably accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, raises relevant challenges for Human Resource Management (HRM) because every technological implementation has a certain impact on human beings. Between many organizational HRM practices, recruitment and assessment interviews represent a significant moment where a social interaction provides the context for evaluating candidates’ skills. It is therefore relevant to investigate how different interaction frames and relational conditions affect such task, with a specific focus on the differences between face-to-face (FTF) and remote computer-mediated (RCM) interaction settings. In particular, the possibility of qualifying and quantifying the mechanisms shaping the efficiency of interaction in the recruiter-candidate dyad—i.e. interpersonal attunement—is potentially insightful. We here present a neuroscientific protocol aimed at elucidating the impact of FTF vs. RCM modalities on social dynamics within assessment interviews. Specifically, the hyperscanning approach, understood as the concurrent recording and integrated analysis of behavioural-physiological responses of interacting agents, will be used to evaluate recruiter-candidate dyads while they are involved in either FTF or RCM conditions. Specifically, the protocol has been designed to collect self-report, oculometric, autonomic (electrodermal activity, heart rate, heart rate variability), and neurophysiological (electroencephalography) metrics from both inter-agents to explore the perceived quality of the interaction, automatic visual-attentional patterns of inter-agents, as well as their cognitive workload and emotional engagement. The proposed protocol will provide a theoretical evidence-based framework to assess possible differences between FTF vs. RMC settings in complex social interactions, with a specific focus on job interviews.

Internet and smartphone adoption have led to ubiquitous connectivity, which is the possibility to connect anytime and anywhere. This phenomenon, with several different implications on the life of human beings and on society, has also resulted in the daily use of mobile applications (apps). This study analyses, via a multi-method neuroscientific approach, using electroencephalography (EEG, in terms of alpha, beta, delta and theta cortical oscillations) and auto-nomic indices (Pulse Volume Amplitude (PVA), Blood Volume Pulse (BVP), Skin Conductance Level (SCL) and Skin Conductance Response (SCR)), the impact of both the Content (Current news, Health and Environment) and of two advertising features (Animation and Interactivity) on the app User Experience (UX). Results showed a significant effect for content, with current news being cognitively and emotionally more stimulating, with an increased activity of beta and theta bands and in SCR. Also, a significant interaction between content and lateralization was found, with an increased theta power in the left hemisphere in response to current news, determined by a possible greater engagement and a greater involvement of the working memory.

Introduction: Gestures characterize individuals' nonverbal communicative exchanges, taking on different functions. Several types of research in the neuroscientific field have been interested in the investigation of the neural correlates underlying the observation and implementation of different gestures categories. In particular, different studies have focused on the neural correlates underlying gestures observation, emphasizing the presence of mirroring mechanisms in specific brain areas, which appear to be involved in gesture observation and planning mechanisms. Materials and methods: Specifically, the present study aimed to investigate the neural mechanisms, through the use of functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), underlying the observation of affective, social, and informative gestures with positive and negative valence in individuals' dyads composed by encoder and decoder. The variations of oxygenated (O2Hb) and deoxygenated (HHb) hemoglobin concentrations of both individuals were collected simultaneously through the use of hyperscanning paradigm, allowing the recording of brain responsiveness and interbrain connectivity. Results: The results showed a different brain activation and an increase of interbrain connectivity according to the type of gestures observed, with a significant increase of O2Hb brain responsiveness and interbrain connectivity and a decrease of HHb brain responsiveness for affective gestures in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and for social gestures in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG). Furthermore, concerning the valence of the observed gestures, an increase of O2Hb brain activity and interbrain connectivity was observed in the left DLPFC for positive affective gestures compared to negative ones. Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study showed different brain responses underlying the observation of different types of positive and negative gestures. Moreover, interbrain connectivity calculation allowed us to underline

Aim of the study: Prospective memory (PM) is a cognitive high load activity. Two main models showed the relation between working memory (WM) and PM. The preparatory attentional and memory processes model (PAM) posits an interdependence between WM and PM; while, the multiprocess framework assumes independence between these two functions. Materials and methods: With the aim to investigate this relation, two tasks were administered to a sample of 21 healthy participants. The first task (arithmetic) required low cognitive and WM load together with a prospective task, the second (PASAT) required high cognitive and WM load together with a prospective switching task. The prospective task included two modalities of administration: based on a sound cue (event-based) or at a given moment (time-based). Results: PM accuracy was influenced by WM only when paired to complex tasks that require high cognitive load on WM and active PM self-retrieval processes (time-PASAT). Conclusions: These results support partial independence between these two mechanisms.

Non-verbal communication is a joint action defined by the use of different gestures’ types. The present research aimed to investigate the electrophysiological (EEG) correlates during the observation of affective, social and informative gestures in non-verbal communication between encoder and decoder. Moreover, the hyperscanning paradigm allows investigating the individuals’ inter-brain connectivity. Regarding gestures’ type, the study’s results showed a decrease of alpha (increased brain activity), and an increase of delta and theta brain responsiveness and inter-brain connectivity for affective and social gestures in frontal and posterior areas for informative ones. Concerning gestures’ valence, an increase of left frontal theta activity and inter-brain connectivity was observed. Finally, about the inter-agents’ role, the same brain responses and inter-brain connectivity patterns emerged both in encoder and decoder. This study allows discovering neural responses underlying gestures’ type and valence during action observation, highlighting the validity of hyperscanning to investigate inter-brain connectivity mechanisms

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Decisional conflicts have been investigated with social decision-making tasks, which represent good models to elicit social and emotional dynamics, including fairness perception. To explore these issues, we created two modified versions of the UG framed within an economic vs. a moral context that included two kinds of unfair offers: advantageous (upside, U) or disadvantageous (downside, D) from the responder’s perspective, and vice-versa for the proponent. The hemodynamic activity of 36 participants, 20 females and 16 males, was continuously recorded with fNIRS to investigate the presence of general or specific circuits between the different experimental conditions. Results showed that disadvantageous offers (D) are associated with an increased widespread cortical activation. Furthermore, we found that advantageous moral choices at the expense of others (U) were related to the activation of the right prefrontal cortex. Finally, we found gender-related differences in brain activations in the different frameworks. In particular, the DLPFC was recruited by females during the economic task, and by males during the moral frame. In conclusion, the present study confirmed and expanded previous data about the role of the prefrontal cortices in decision-making, suggesting the need for further studies to understand better the different prefrontal networks serving moral and economic decisions also considering gender-related differences.

Prospective memory (PM) is a complex process involving multiple cognitive abilities. Several studies demonstrated the role of working memory (WM) in PM. However, to date, the extent to which PM and WM shared resources or, rather, they are distinct mechanisms is still debated. With the aim to investigate the role of WM in PM, we developed two experiments manipulating the WM load required by ongoing tasks to examine a patient with PM difficulties and dysexecutive syndrome following brain damage. Experiment 1 required a simple arithmetic activity together with a PM switching-task to be performed at a given time (time-based condition) or following cue presentation (event-based condition). In Experiment 2, we varied the complexity of the ongoing task (PASAT test). Patient MB’s performance in PM tasks significantly differs from the controls only in the PASAT time-based condition. We demonstrated a partial independence between WM and PM in tasks involving automatic retrieval.

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Recently, the use of wearable devices and neurotechnologies for well-being and neurocognitive empowerment has increased, allowing users to achieve better awareness and control of their mindset and mood states. We present an overview of main results from a research line on the effectiveness of an intensive training protocol supported by wearable neurofeedback devices in the field of neurocognitive empowerment and stress management. Specifically, the potential of such neurotechnology-supported training was tested by collecting behavioural, psychometric, neuropsychological, and physiological outcomes and comparing experimental and active control groups. The protocol was tested in different experimental and applied contexts - including sports, workplace, and healthy aging. Based on the multi-level assessment of training outcomes, results highlighted the effectiveness of using intensive neurotechnology-mediated protocols to enhance focusing and attention regulation skills, and reduce anxiety/stress levels while increasing mental vigour, hinting at the potential of such new technologies for neurocognitive empowerment.