An amygdala-mediated simulation-to-decision cascade aligns interbrain dynamics to solve social dilemmas.

Amygdala interbrain representational alignment during mutual cooperation predicts trial outcomes in social dilemmas.

• Why it matters: Understanding the neural mechanisms behind cooperation can clarify how brains coordinate under uncertainty, addressing a key gap in social neuroscience.
• What they did: Using simultaneous intracranial EEG from epilepsy patients in a prisoner's dilemma, the study identified amygdala-based neural patterns, including early θ-suppression and later low-frequency suppression and γ increases, that support cooperation.
• The result: Findings suggest that an amygdala-mediated simulation-to-decision cascade enables interbrain alignment, with different strategies (partner tracking vs. tolerance) influencing neural coordination and cooperation success.