How the brain predicts social interaction before it starts

MedicalXpress | juin 01, 2026

How does the brain decide to approach others? Researchers have found that coordinated brain activity linked to social behavior begins seconds before movement starts. In a study using zebrafish, they identified a key role for the pallium, a higher brain region required for normal social interaction, and showed that animals with a stronger brain-wide neural signature were more socially engaged overall. The findings suggest that the brain prepares for social interaction before the movement even begins, and that the strength of this preparation reflects an individual's social drive.