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Effect of Social Stimuli on Topological Changes in the Brain Functional Network During Memory Formation in Virtual Reality
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1
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| Subject:
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Advanced Techniques in Signal Acquisition and Image Processing
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Presenter Author:
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| Name:
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Melina Mostafa
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Author:
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| Name 1:
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Melina Mostafa - Corresponding - Presenter
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| Affiliation 1:
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Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Shahid Beheshti University
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| Name 2:
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Dr. Reza Khosrowabadi
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| Affiliation 2:
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Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University
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Abstract
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Original Research
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introduction :
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This research investigates the influence of social (avatar gaze cue) versus non-social (wood stick) cues on working memory (WM) formation by combining Electroencephalography (EEG) with Structural Balance Theory (SBT). The study's primary objective was to assess how social interactions, provided through virtual reality-based eye contact, modulate the structural balance and stability of functional brain networks.
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Methods:
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EEG data were recorded during a WM task in which attentional guidance was provided by either the social avatar or the non-social stick cue. Functional brain networks, defined by signed links, were analyzed across all frequency bands using SBT metrics like network energy and triadic components.
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Results:
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Results revealed significant, frequency-dependent changes in network organization. In the Beta band, non-social cues were positively associated with the T0 component (the weakly unbalanced triad defined by three negative functional links), linking this structure of weak negative links to active behavioral performance and correct object recall. This suggests that optimal non-social performance relies on a state of increased structural instability reflecting the network's readiness for change and efficient cognitive adjustment. Conversely, the social avatar cue induced greater instability and higher balance energy in the Beta band, signifying a stronger, more preparatory mental effort to process the social stimulus.
Furthermore, the social condition also exhibited higher network instability in the Alpha band, consistent with enhanced attentional engagement and increased effort in information absorption. Critically, in the Theta band (related to the memory encoding phase), the avatar condition exhibited fewer negative links and reduced structural frustration compared to the non-social condition, leading to significantly greater network stability. This heightened stability in the Theta band strongly suggests that the social gaze cue facilitates more robust working memory formation.
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Conclusion:
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Overall, these findings underscore the effectiveness of SBT in capturing the dynamic impact of social stimuli, demonstrating that social cues selectively modulate frequency-specific network topology and stability to facilitate efficient memory encoding.
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| Attachment:
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| Keywords:
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EEG, Working Memory, Structural Balance Theory, Network stability, Signed links, Eye contact, Functional brain connectivity, Brain Plasticity
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| Key message:
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