Biology subjects

Moffat, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Moffat, R..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

A longitudinal fNIRS hypercanning data set of same generation and intergenerational relationship development and collaboration

Social disconnection (i.e., loneliness and social isolation) poses a severe risk to health and is particularly prevalent among older adults. Qualitative and behavioural evidence suggests that intergenerational social interactions can mitigate social disconnection by offering opportunities for adults to form new social connections, yet the neurophysiological and kinematic processes underpinning relationship formation remain poorly understood. This article presents and validates the InterGenSynchrony Dataset- a longitudinal, multimodal hyperscanning dataset acquired during a 6-session program, where 30 same generation and 31 intergenerational dyads met as strangers and became acquainted through creative drawing. The dataset includes dyads concurrent recordings of brain activity (i.e., fNIRS hyperscanning), motion capture, self-report measures including loneliness, collaborative behavioural scores, drawings (artefacts of collaboration), subjective experiences in text and interview forms. This dataset is optimised for multimodal investigations into the neural, physiological, behavioural, kinematic, and subjective aspects of relationship formation within and between generations in a real-world setting.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Two-brain states during collaborative drawing reflect leader-follower dynamics in intergenerational dyads

Engaging with others in social scenarios can result in the alignment of brain activity between individuals. Dyadic (i.e., hyperscanning) studies typically estimate average region-specific levels of connectivity between brains (as opposed to within brains) across a given task to quantify brain activity alignment. This approach assumes symmetric interactions with equal and mutual adaptation from both dyad members, excluding asymmetric (e.g., leader-follower) contexts. Such approaches also obscure spatial dynamics (i.e., relationship between different brain regions) and temporal dynamics during unfolding interactions. To overcome these challenges, we took a data-driven approach to quantify within- and between-brain connectivity during collaborative drawing among dyads. Specifically, we used sliding windows and Riemannian-geometry-based k-means clustering to identify recurrent two-brain states while 61 dyads drew alone and together at 6 weekly timepoints. Thirty dyads comprised young adults only (same generation) and 31 dyads comprised one older and one younger individual (intergenerational). We identified 7 two-brain states, 3 of which were specific to real (not pseudo) dyads. One two-brain state showed convincing evidence of sensitivity to collaboration context: During collaborative drawing, low-to-medium between-brain connectivity and prominent within-brain connectivity in bilateral IFG in a single dyad member arose for longer periods in intergenerational than same generation dyads (co-occurring with reduced turn-taking behaviour). No two-brain state showed evidence of longitudinal changes across sessions. These findings inform recent accounts of neural dynamics that emphasise the complementary roles of within-brain and between-brain connectivity. Furthermore, they suggest that state-based analyses can inform neural dynamics in a way not captured by traditional analysis techniques. HighlightsO_LITwo-brain states can characterise within- and between-brain connectivity. C_LIO_LISeven two-brain states identified using data-driven approach. C_LIO_LIIntergenerational collaborative drawing linked to asymmetric connectivity. C_LI

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Cardiac synchrony remains stable across repeated intergenerational encounters but is enhanced during high stakes collaboration

Intergenerational social programs provide opportunities for people of all ages to form new relationships. Furthermore, existing qualitative and behavioural evidence from such programs points to health and wellbeing benefits, yet the physiological consequences of repeated intergenerational encounters remain unknown. A deeper understanding of how such programs shape dyadic physiological responses will illuminate the mechanisms of relationship formation. Across a six-session collaborative drawing program, we tracked cardiac synchrony within 31 intergenerational (older/younger adult) and 30 same generation (younger adult) dyads. Each session dyads completed self-report measures, then drew together and alone, while we recorded participants actions with motion capture and physiological signals (neural and cardiac) using fNIRS. Collaborative behaviour, self-reported social closeness, and interpersonal distance (i.e., proximity) showed group-specific patterns, whereby interpersonal distance emerged as a promising objective measure of relationship development. Cardiac synchrony did not covary with group, task, an interaction thereof or any measure of behaviour or social closeness-yet there was a trending relationship between collaboration while drawing together and cardiac synchrony for intergenerational dyads only. In summary, cardiac synchrony pointed to marginally enhanced arousal during active collaboration between older and younger adults. Relationship development was better characterised, in this study, by behaviour and self-report measures than cardiac synchrony.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Longitudinal intergenerational hyperscanning reveals indices of relationship formation and loneliness

Loneliness is globally acknowledged as a severe and burgeoning health risk, fuelling interest in helping people of all ages form meaningful social connections. One promising approach consists of intergenerational social programs. While behavioural and qualitative evidence derived from such programs promise health and wellbeing benefits, the physiological consequences of repeated intergenerational encounters remain unknown. Insight into physiological changes will shed light on the mechanisms of social connection. We charted longitudinal changes in interpersonal neural synchrony (INS) in 31 intergenerational (older/younger adult) and 30 same generation (younger adult) dyads across a six-session creative drawing program. At each session, dyads completed self-report measures, drew together and alone, and had their cortical activation recorded with fNIRS. In both groups, INS was greater while dyads drew together than alone. Across sessions, intergenerational dyads INS decreased and same generation dyads INS increased. INS in RIFG[~]RTPJ and RIFG[~]RIFG were predictive of loneliness levels and feelings of social closeness, respectively. This exploratory longitudinal research reinforces the multi-faceted nature of INS dynamics as social connections are forged.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Spatial analysis of NOS2 and COX2 interaction with T-effector cells reveals immunosuppressive landscapes associated with poor outcome in ER- breast cancer patients

Multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms exist in the tumor microenvironment that drive poor outcomes and decrease treatment efficacy. The co-expression of NOS2 and COX2 is a strong predictor of poor prognosis in ER- breast cancer and other malignancies. Together, they generate pro-oncogenic signals that drive metastasis, drug resistance, cancer stemness, and immune suppression. Using an ER- breast cancer patient cohort, we found that the spatial expression patterns of NOS2 and COX2 with CD3+CD8+PD1- T effector (Teff) cells formed a tumor immune landscape that correlated with poor outcome. NOS2 was primarily associated with the tumor-immune interface, whereas COX2 was associated with immune desert regions of the tumor lacking Teff cells. A higher ratio of NOS2 or COX2 to Teff was highly correlated with poor outcomes. Spatial analysis revealed that regional clustering of NOS2 and COX2 was associated with stromal-restricted Teff, while only COX2 was predominant in immune deserts. Examination of other immunosuppressive elements, such as PDL1/PD1, Treg, B7H4, and IDO1, revealed that PDL1/PD1, Treg, and IDO1 were primarily associated with restricted Teff, whereas B7H4 and COX2 were found in tumor immune deserts. Regardless of the survival outcome, other leukocytes, such as CD4 T cells and macrophages, were primarily in stromal lymphoid aggregates. Finally, in a 4T1 model, COX2 inhibition led to a massive cell infiltration, thus validating the hypothesis that COX2 is an essential component of the Teff exclusion process and, thus, tumor evasion. Our study indicates that NOS2/COX2 expression plays a central role in tumor immunosuppression. Our findings indicate that new strategies combining clinically available NOS2/COX2 inhibitors with various forms of immune therapy may open a new avenue for the treatment of aggressive ER- breast cancers.

cancer biology↗