#China #Beijing #MEGIN #TRIUX neo #Hyperscanning

MEGIN Launches Dual-MEG Hyperscanning Facility at Tsinghua University

In a significant advancement for neuroscience, MEGIN, a global frontrunner in magnetoencephalography (MEG), has established a cutting-edge dual-MEG hyperscanning facility at Tsinghua University in Beijing. This facility marks a collaboration between MEGIN and Aalto University's Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, aiming to enhance our understanding of brain interactions during social interactions.

The facility features two whole-head MEG systems, known as TRIUX™ neo, positioned within magnetically shielded rooms, allowing real-time observation of brain activity from two individuals engaged in natural conversations, cooperation, and playful interactions. This set-up enables simultaneous MEG recordings from both participants, integrating audio and video streams with millisecond-level synchronization to facilitate genuine interaction.

Hyperscanning is a revolutionary method that captures brain activity from multiple people as they engage in various forms of dialogue and collaboration. Unlike traditional techniques that often rely on electroencephalography (EEG) or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which come with inherent limitations, MEG provides a unique combination of rapid temporal resolution and the ability to localize brain activity. This allows researchers to observe how neural activities change when individuals predict and respond to each other’s behaviors.

Previously, MEG-based hyperscanning required separate laboratories connected by long distances, introducing a delay that complicated interaction studies. The new facility at Tsinghua University overcomes these challenges, allowing both participants to be physically co-located, thus enhancing the authenticity of their social exchanges. Each participant can see and hear the other through an integrated audio-visual system, further bridging the gap that previously existed in such studies.

Lauri Parkkonen, a PhD Professor at Aalto University, emphasizes the unique advantages of this facility. He notes that traditional setups necessitated subjects to be in different labs, but the new configuration at Tsinghua enables a true interactive experience akin to a video call—without any internet latency. This setup crucially supports the exploration of social behaviors, offering crucial insights into the brain’s functioning during real-time interactions.

The Tsinghua facility will present initial findings at the upcoming BIOMAG 2026 conference in Beijing, showcasing its potential to revolutionize research methodologies in social neuroscience.

MEGIN's President, Gordon Baltzer, expresses enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting how this dual-MEG setup is set to pave the way for new discoveries in brain imaging and provides researchers with a more integrated tool to delve into complex interpersonal dynamics.

Further complementing this endeavor, the cross-institutional cooperation harnesses over ten years of MEG hyperscanning research to refine methods and improve the integration between systems. Aalto University played a pivotal role in adapting the facility's equipment and methods, supported by groundbreaking work previously published in major scientific journals.

The Tsinghua facility stands as a testament to the potential of innovative methodologies in neuroscience. It combines intricate hardware, advanced synchronization software, and real-time experimental control, enabling researchers to derive a deeper understanding of social interactions from brain imaging studies. The facility is a much-awaited advancement for the scientific community, as the partnership among MEGIN, Aalto University, and Tsinghua University promises to elevate the standards of research capability in the field.

For more information about MEGIN and its novel offerings, please visit www.megin.com.