RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Team Flow Is a Unique Brain State Associated with Enhanced Information Integration and Interbrain Synchrony JF eneuro JO eNeuro FD Society for Neuroscience SP ENEURO.0133-21.2021 DO 10.1523/ENEURO.0133-21.2021 VO 8 IS 5 A1 Shehata, Mohammad A1 Cheng, Miao A1 Leung, Angus A1 Tsuchiya, Naotsugu A1 Wu, Daw-An A1 Tseng, Chia-huei A1 Nakauchi, Shigeki A1 Shimojo, Shinsuke YR 2021 UL http://www.eneuro.org/content/8/5/ENEURO.0133-21.2021.abstract AB Team flow occurs when a group functions in a high task engagement to achieve a goal, commonly seen in performance and sports. Team flow can enable enhanced positive experiences, as compared with individual flow or regular socializing. However, the neural basis for this enhanced behavioral state remains unclear. Here, we identified neural correlates (NCs) of team flow in human participants using a music rhythm task with electroencephalogram hyperscanning. Experimental manipulations held the motor task constant while disrupting the corresponding hedonic music to interfere with the flow state or occluding the partner’s positive feedback to impede team interaction. We validated these manipulations by using psychometric ratings and an objective measure for the depth of flow experience, which uses the auditory-evoked potential (AEP) of a task-irrelevant stimulus. Spectral power analysis at both the scalp sensors and anatomic source levels revealed higher β-γ power specific to team flow in the left middle temporal cortex (L-MTC). Causal interaction analysis revealed that the L-MTC is downstream in information processing and receives information from areas encoding the flow or social states. The L-MTC significantly contributes to integrating information. Moreover, we found that team flow enhances global interbrain integrated information (II) and neural synchrony. We conclude that the NCs of team flow induce a distinct brain state. Our results suggest a neurocognitive mechanism to create this unique experience.