The neural basis of dance and dance partnering

Dance is a form of patterned body movement, often done in synchrony with a timekeeper such as a musical beat. Recent neuroimaging studies have shed light on both the motoric and perceptual aspects of dance. Motor studies have looked at brain areas involved in navigation of the limbs through space, as well as the ability of people to synchronize these movements with musical beats. Most of the perceptual studies have looked at “expertise effects” related to trained dancers viewing movement patterns that they either can or cannot perform, as well as the development of sensorimotor linkages during the learning of dance movements. In addition to discussing such studies, I will present the results of a recent study from my lab involved in investigating brain areas that underlie leading vs. following when two people engage in joint movement with body contact.