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Tschentscher N, Tafelmaier JC, Woll CFJ, Pogarell O, Maywald M, Vierl L, Breitenstein K, Karch S. The Clinical Impact of Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback on Emotion Regulation: A Systematic Review. Brain Sci 2024; 14:700. [PMID: 39061440 PMCID: PMC11274904 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14070700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Emotion dysregulation has long been considered a key symptom in multiple psychiatric disorders. Difficulties in emotion regulation have been associated with neural dysregulation in fronto-limbic circuits. Real-time fMRI-based neurofeedback (rt-fMRI-NFB) has become increasingly popular as a potential treatment for emotional dysregulation in psychiatric disorders, as it is able to directly target the impaired neural circuits. However, the clinical impact of these rt-fMRI-NFB protocols in psychiatric populations is still largely unknown. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of primary studies from 2010 to 2023 that used rt-fMRI-NFB to target emotion regulation. We assessed 41 out of 4001 original studies for methodological quality and risk of bias and synthesised concerning the frequency of significant rt-fMRI-NFB-related effects on the neural and behaviour level. Successful modulation of brain activity was reported in between 25 and 50 percent of study samples, while neural effects in clinical samples were more diverse than in healthy samples. Interestingly, the frequency of rt-fMRI-NFB-related behavioural improvement was over 75 percent in clinical samples, while healthy samples showed behavioural improvements between 0 and 25 percent. Concerning clinical subsamples, rt-fMRI-NFB-related behavioural improvement was observed in up to 100 percent of major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) samples. Substance use samples showed behavioural benefits ranging between 50 and 75 percent. Neural effects appeared to be less frequent than behavioural improvements: most neural outcomes ranged between 25 and 50 percent for MDD and substance use and between 0 and 25 percent for PTSD. Using multiple individualised regions of interest (ROIs) for rt-fMRI-NFB training resulted in more frequent behavioural benefits than rt-fMRI-NFB solely based on the amygdala or the prefrontal cortex. While a significant improvement in behavioural outcomes was reported in most clinical studies, the study protocols were heterogeneous, which limits the current evaluation of rt-fMRI-NFB as a putative treatment for emotional dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Tschentscher
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nußbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany; (N.T.); (J.C.T.); (O.P.)
| | - Julia C. Tafelmaier
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nußbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany; (N.T.); (J.C.T.); (O.P.)
| | - Christian F. J. Woll
- Section of Clinical Psychology of Children and Adolescents, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802 Munich, Germany;
| | - Oliver Pogarell
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nußbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany; (N.T.); (J.C.T.); (O.P.)
| | - Maximilian Maywald
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nußbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany; (N.T.); (J.C.T.); (O.P.)
| | - Larissa Vierl
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nußbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany; (N.T.); (J.C.T.); (O.P.)
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Treatment, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802 Munich, Germany
| | - Katrin Breitenstein
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nußbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany; (N.T.); (J.C.T.); (O.P.)
| | - Susanne Karch
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nußbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany; (N.T.); (J.C.T.); (O.P.)
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Hilbert A, Rösch SA, Petroff D, Prettin C, Lührs M, Ehlis AC, Schmidt R. Near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography neurofeedback for binge-eating disorder: an exploratory randomized trial. Psychol Med 2024; 54:675-686. [PMID: 37964437 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Binge-eating disorder (BED) co-occurs with neurobehavioral alterations in the processing of disorder-relevant content such as visual food stimuli. Whether neurofeedback (NF) directly targeting them is suited for treatment remains unclear. This study sought to determine feasibility and estimate effects of individualized, functional near-infrared spectroscopy-based real-time NF (rtfNIRS-NF) and high-beta electroencephalography-based NF (EEG-NF), assuming superiority over waitlist (WL). METHODS Single-center, assessor-blinded feasibility study with randomization to rtfNIRS-NF, EEG-NF, or WL and assessments at baseline (t0), postassessment (t1), and 6-month follow-up (t2). NF comprised 12 60-min food-specific rtfNIRS-NF or EEG-NF sessions over 8 weeks. Primary outcome was the binge-eating frequency at t1 assessed interview-based. Secondary outcomes included feasibility, eating disorder symptoms, mental and physical health, weight management-related behavior, executive functions, and brain activity at t1 and t2. RESULTS In 72 patients (intent-to-treat), the results showed feasibility of NF regarding recruitment, attrition, adherence, compliance, acceptance, and assessment completion. Binge eating improved at t1 by -8.0 episodes, without superiority of NF v. WL (-0.8 episodes, 95% CI -2.4 to 4.0), but with improved estimates in NF at t2 relative to t1. NF was better than WL for food craving, anxiety symptoms, and body mass index, but overall effects were mostly small. Brain activity changes were near zero. CONCLUSIONS The results show feasibility of food-specific rtfNIRS-NF and EEG-NF in BED, and no posttreatment differences v. WL, but possible continued improvement of binge eating. Confirmatory and mechanistic evidence is warranted in a double-blind randomized design with long-term follow-up, considering dose-response relationships and modes of delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah Alica Rösch
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - David Petroff
- Clinical Trial Centre Leipzig, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Michael Lührs
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Brain Innovation B.V., Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ann-Christin Ehlis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ricarda Schmidt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Watve A, Haugg A, Frei N, Koush Y, Willinger D, Bruehl AB, Stämpfli P, Scharnowski F, Sladky R. Facing emotions: real-time fMRI-based neurofeedback using dynamic emotional faces to modulate amygdala activity. Front Neurosci 2024; 17:1286665. [PMID: 38274498 PMCID: PMC10808718 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1286665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Maladaptive functioning of the amygdala has been associated with impaired emotion regulation in affective disorders. Recent advances in real-time fMRI neurofeedback have successfully demonstrated the modulation of amygdala activity in healthy and psychiatric populations. In contrast to an abstract feedback representation applied in standard neurofeedback designs, we proposed a novel neurofeedback paradigm using naturalistic stimuli like human emotional faces as the feedback display where change in the facial expression intensity (from neutral to happy or from fearful to neutral) was coupled with the participant's ongoing bilateral amygdala activity. Methods The feasibility of this experimental approach was tested on 64 healthy participants who completed a single training session with four neurofeedback runs. Participants were assigned to one of the four experimental groups (n = 16 per group), i.e., happy-up, happy-down, fear-up, fear-down. Depending on the group assignment, they were either instructed to "try to make the face happier" by upregulating (happy-up) or downregulating (happy-down) the amygdala or to "try to make the face less fearful" by upregulating (fear-up) or downregulating (fear-down) the amygdala feedback signal. Results Linear mixed effect analyses revealed significant amygdala activity changes in the fear condition, specifically in the fear-down group with significant amygdala downregulation in the last two neurofeedback runs as compared to the first run. The happy-up and happy-down groups did not show significant amygdala activity changes over four runs. We did not observe significant improvement in the questionnaire scores and subsequent behavior. Furthermore, task-dependent effective connectivity changes between the amygdala, fusiform face area (FFA), and the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) were examined using dynamic causal modeling. The effective connectivity between FFA and the amygdala was significantly increased in the happy-up group (facilitatory effect) and decreased in the fear-down group. Notably, the amygdala was downregulated through an inhibitory mechanism mediated by mOFC during the first training run. Discussion In this feasibility study, we intended to address key neurofeedback processes like naturalistic facial stimuli, participant engagement in the task, bidirectional regulation, task congruence, and their influence on learning success. It demonstrated that such a versatile emotional face feedback paradigm can be tailored to target biased emotion processing in affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurva Watve
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Amelie Haugg
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nada Frei
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Yury Koush
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC), Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - David Willinger
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Division of Psychodynamics, Department of Psychology and Psychodynamics, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Lower Austria, Austria
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zürich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Annette Beatrix Bruehl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Stämpfli
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Frank Scharnowski
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zürich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ronald Sladky
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Rösch SA, Schmidt R, Wimmer J, Lührs M, Ehlis AC, Hilbert A. Mechanisms underlying fNIRS-neurofeedback over the prefrontal cortex for participants with binge-eating disorder. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 156:57-68. [PMID: 37871494 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite the increasing popularity of neurofeedback (NF), aiming at voluntary modulation of dysfunctional prefrontal cortex (PFC) signals in the treatment of binge-eating disorder (BED) and/or overweight, mechanisms remain poorly understood. METHODS Based on a randomized-controlled trial offering 12 food-specific real-time functional near-infrared spectroscopy (rtfNIRS)-NF sessions to participants with BED (n = 22), this preregistered study examined (1) online regulation success as predictor for offline regulation success, defined by PFC signals during regulation versus watch, and subjective regulation success, and (2) changes in loss of control (LOC) eating after vs. before and across 12 rtfNIRS-NF-sessions. RESULTS Higher online regulation success expectedly predicted better subjective, but worse offline regulation success. LOC eating decreased after vs. before, but not over rtfNIRS-NF-sessions, and was not associated with subjective or offline regulation success. CONCLUSIONS The association between online and subjective regulation success confirmed the presumed mechanism of operant conditioning underlying rtfNIRS-NF-learning. The contrary association between online and offline regulation indicated differential PFC involvement upon subtraction of automatic food-specific responses from regulation signals for offline success. Decreased LOC eating after food-specific rtfNIRS-NF-sessions suggested the potential of NF in BED treatment. SIGNIFICANCE Results may guide the optimization of future NF studies in larger samples with BED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Rösch
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Stephanstrasse 9a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; International Max Planck Research School NeuroCom, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Ricarda Schmidt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Stephanstrasse 9a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jytte Wimmer
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Stephanstrasse 9a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Lührs
- Brain Innovation B.V, Oxfordlaan 55, 6229 EV Maastricht, The Netherlands; Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Oxfordlaan 55, 6229 EV Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ann-Christine Ehlis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Calwerstrasse 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Stephanstrasse 9a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Godet A, Fortier A, Bannier E, Coquery N, Val-Laillet D. Interactions between emotions and eating behaviors: Main issues, neuroimaging contributions, and innovative preventive or corrective strategies. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2022; 23:807-831. [PMID: 34984602 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09700-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Emotional eating is commonly defined as the tendency to (over)eat in response to emotion. Insofar as it involves the (over)consumption of high-calorie palatable foods, emotional eating is a maladaptive behavior that can lead to eating disorders, and ultimately to metabolic disorders and obesity. Emotional eating is associated with eating disorder subtypes and with abnormalities in emotion processing at a behavioral level. However, not enough is known about the neural pathways involved in both emotion processing and food intake. In this review, we provide an overview of recent neuroimaging studies, highlighting the brain correlates between emotions and eating behavior that may be involved in emotional eating. Interaction between neural and neuro-endocrine pathways (HPA axis) may be involved. In addition to behavioral interventions, there is a need for a holistic approach encompassing both neural and physiological levels to prevent emotional eating. Based on recent imaging, this review indicates that more attention should be paid to prefrontal areas, the insular and orbitofrontal cortices, and reward pathways, in addition to regions that play a major role in both the cognitive control of emotions and eating behavior. Identifying these brain regions could allow for neuromodulation interventions, including neurofeedback training, which deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambre Godet
- Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer (NuMeCan), INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St Gilles, France
| | - Alexandra Fortier
- Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer (NuMeCan), INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St Gilles, France
| | - Elise Bannier
- CRNS, INSERM, IRISA, INRIA, Univ Rennes, Empenn Rennes, France
- Radiology Department, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Nicolas Coquery
- Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer (NuMeCan), INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St Gilles, France
| | - David Val-Laillet
- Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer (NuMeCan), INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St Gilles, France.
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Bu J, Liu C, Gou H, Gan H, Cheng Y, Liu M, Ni R, Liang Z, Cui G, Zeng GQ, Zhang X. A Novel Cognition-Guided Neurofeedback BCI Dataset on Nicotine Addiction. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:647844. [PMID: 34295217 PMCID: PMC8290081 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.647844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Compared with the traditional neurofeedback paradigm, the cognition-guided neurofeedback brain–computer interface (BCI) is a novel paradigm with significant effect on nicotine addiction. However, the cognition-guided neurofeedback BCI dataset is extremely lacking at present. This paper provides a BCI dataset based on a novel cognition-guided neurofeedback on nicotine addiction. Twenty-eight participants are recruited and involved in two visits of neurofeedback training. This cognition-guided neurofeedback includes two phases: an offline classifier construction and a real-time neurofeedback training. The original electroencephalogram (EEG) raw data of two phases are provided and evaluated in this paper. The event-related potential (ERP) amplitude and channel waveform suggest that our BCI dataset is of good quality and consistency. During neurofeedback training, the participants’ smoking cue reactivity patterns have a significant reduction. The mean accuracy of the multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) classifier can reach approximately 70%. This novel cognition-guided neurofeedback BCI dataset can be used to develop comparisons with other neurofeedback systems and provide a reference for the development of other BCI algorithms and neurofeedback paradigms on addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Bu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Science, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Department of Intelligent Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Science, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Huixing Gou
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Science, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hefan Gan
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Science, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Mengyuan Liu
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Ni
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zhen Liang
- Department of Intelligent Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Guanbao Cui
- Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ginger Qinghong Zeng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Science, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaochu Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Science, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Hefei Medical Research Center on Alcohol Addiction, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China.,Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
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A reward and incentive-sensitization perspective on compulsive use of social networking sites - Wanting but not liking predicts checking frequency and problematic use behavior. Addict Behav 2021; 116:106808. [PMID: 33465723 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The use of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) has exponentially increased over the past decade, leading to warnings about the addictive potential of this technology. Yet, the idea of SNS addiction remains controversial and more theory-driven research is required to understand the mechanisms of excessive and compulsive SNS use and to facilitate the development of targeted interventions helping affected users. In the present article we propose to utilize a reward-based approach to further our understanding of these behaviors. In particular, we suggest that concepts borrowed from the drug addiction literature that focus on incentive processes (incentive-sensitization and cue reactivity) can explain some SNS behaviors, such as compulsive checking. One elemental finding of the neurobiological drug addiction literature is that repeated exposure to a rewarding substance can render the brain's reward system oversensitive to cues related to the drug. We report preliminary findings from 358 participants showing that cue-elicited urges to use SNSs characterized both excessive and problematic use behaviors. Moreover, desires and urges to use SNSs (wanting responses) could be reliably dissociated from the enjoyment and pleasure (liking responses) associated with SNSs, with the latter being less predictive of the intensity and problematicity of behaviors than the former. Such divergence between motivational and hedonic processes is another hallmark finding in the literature on drug and food rewards. Together our initial findings thus suggest that examining alterations of reward processes holds promise to explain the compulsive use of SNSs and to identify potential avenues to help affected individuals.
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Schmidt J, Martin A. The Influence of Physiological and Psychological Learning Mechanisms in Neurofeedback vs. Mental Imagery Against Binge Eating. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2020; 45:293-305. [PMID: 32990891 PMCID: PMC7644525 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-020-09486-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In biofeedback research, the debate on physiological versus psychological learning has a long tradition and is still relevant today, regarding new developments of biofeedback for behavior modification. Analyzing the role of these learning mechanisms may help improving the protocols and answer the question, whether feedback of physiological functions is necessary to modify a target behavior. We explored the presence and impact of physiological (EEG changes) versus psychological learning (changes in somatic self-efficacy) in a recently developed EEG neurofeedback protocol for binge eating. The protocol targets a reduction of food-cue induced cortical arousal through regulation of EEG high beta activity. In an experimental study accompanying a randomized controlled trial, pre and post treatment EEG measurements were analyzed in a neurofeedback group (n = 18) and an active mental imagery control group without physiological feedback (n = 18). Physiological learning in terms of EEG high beta reduction only occurred in the neurofeedback group. Post treatment, participants with successfully reduced binge eating episodes (≥ 50% reduction) showed lower EEG high beta activity than unsuccessful participants (p = .02) after neurofeedback, but not after mental imagery. Further, lower EEG high beta activity at post-treatment predicted fewer binge eating episodes in neurofeedback only. In mental imagery, somatic self-efficacy predicted treatment success instead of EEG activity. Altogether, the results indicate that physiological changes serve as a specific treatment mechanism in neurofeedback against binge eating. Reducing cortical arousal may improve eating behaviors and corresponding neurofeedback techniques should therefore be considered in future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Schmidt
- HSD Hochschule Döpfer University of Applied Sciences, Waidmarkt 3 & 9, 50676, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Alexandra Martin
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
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Constant A, Moirand R, Thibault R, Val-Laillet D. Meeting of Minds around Food Addiction: Insights from Addiction Medicine, Nutrition, Psychology, and Neurosciences. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12113564. [PMID: 33233694 PMCID: PMC7699750 DOI: 10.3390/nu12113564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This review, focused on food addiction (FA), considers opinions from specialists with different expertise in addiction medicine, nutrition, health psychology, and behavioral neurosciences. The concept of FA is a recurring issue in the clinical description of abnormal eating. Even though some tools have been developed to diagnose FA, such as the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) questionnaire, the FA concept is not recognized as an eating disorder (ED) so far and is even not mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders version 5 (DSM-5) or the International Classification of Disease (ICD-11). Its triggering mechanisms and relationships with other substance use disorders (SUD) need to be further explored. Food addiction (FA) is frequent in the overweight or obese population, but it remains unclear whether it could articulate with obesity-related comorbidities. As there is currently no validated therapy against FA in obese patients, FA is often underdiagnosed and untreated, so that FA may partly explain failure of obesity treatment, addiction transfer, and weight regain after obesity surgery. Future studies should assess whether a dedicated management of FA is associated with better outcomes, especially after obesity surgery. For prevention and treatment purposes, it is necessary to promote a comprehensive psychological approach to FA. Understanding the developmental process of FA and identifying precociously some high-risk profiles can be achieved via the exploration of the environmental, emotional, and cognitive components of eating, as well as their relationships with emotion management, some personality traits, and internalized weight stigma. Under the light of behavioral neurosciences and neuroimaging, FA reveals a specific brain phenotype that is characterized by anomalies in the reward and inhibitory control processes. These anomalies are likely to disrupt the emotional, cognitive, and attentional spheres, but further research is needed to disentangle their complex relationship and overlap with obesity and other forms of SUD. Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment must rely on a multidisciplinary coherence to adapt existing strategies to FA management and to provide social and emotional support to these patients suffering from highly stigmatized medical conditions, namely overweight and addiction. Multi-level interventions could combine motivational interviews, cognitive behavioral therapies, and self-help groups, while benefiting from modern exploratory and interventional tools to target specific neurocognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymery Constant
- INRAE, INSERM, University Rennes, NuMeCan, Nutrition Metabolisms Cancer, 35590 St Gilles, 35000 Rennes, France; (A.C.); (R.M.); (R.T.)
- EHESP, School of Public Health, 35043 Rennes, France
| | - Romain Moirand
- INRAE, INSERM, University Rennes, NuMeCan, Nutrition Metabolisms Cancer, 35590 St Gilles, 35000 Rennes, France; (A.C.); (R.M.); (R.T.)
- Unité d’Addictologie, CHU Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Ronan Thibault
- INRAE, INSERM, University Rennes, NuMeCan, Nutrition Metabolisms Cancer, 35590 St Gilles, 35000 Rennes, France; (A.C.); (R.M.); (R.T.)
- Unité de Nutrition, CHU Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - David Val-Laillet
- INRAE, INSERM, University Rennes, NuMeCan, Nutrition Metabolisms Cancer, 35590 St Gilles, 35000 Rennes, France; (A.C.); (R.M.); (R.T.)
- Correspondence:
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Brain responses to watching food commercials compared with nonfood commercials: a meta-analysis on neuroimaging studies. Public Health Nutr 2020; 24:2153-2160. [PMID: 32883385 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980020003122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify and meta-analyse the neuroimaging data and hence synthesise a brain map showing the neural correlates of watching food commercials. DESIGN Published studies were retrieved and included into the analysis if they evaluated brain responses to food commercials with functional MRI and reported results based on whole-brain analysis in standard brain coordinates. SETTING No additional restriction was placed on the search, such as the publication year and age of participants. PARTICIPANTS Seven papers that composed of a total of 442 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All of them recruited children or adolescents. RESULTS Food commercials caused larger brain responses than nonfood counterparts in the cuneus on both hemispheres, which played a role in dietary self-control and modulation of food craving. Other brain regions involved in food commercials processing included the left culmen, left middle occipital gyrus and the right superior parietal lobule, which could be related to reward, emotional responses and habit formation. CONCLUSION These neural correlates may help explain the food choice and eating behaviours of children and adolescents that might be relevant to the development of obesity.
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Fede SJ, Dean SF, Manuweera T, Momenan R. A Guide to Literature Informed Decisions in the Design of Real Time fMRI Neurofeedback Studies: A Systematic Review. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:60. [PMID: 32161529 PMCID: PMC7052377 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Although biofeedback using electrophysiology has been explored extensively, the approach of using neurofeedback corresponding to hemodynamic response is a relatively young field. Real time functional magnetic resonance imaging-based neurofeedback (rt-fMRI-NF) uses sensory feedback to operantly reinforce patterns of neural response. It can be used, for example, to alter visual perception, increase brain connectivity, and reduce depression symptoms. Within recent years, interest in rt-fMRI-NF in both research and clinical contexts has expanded considerably. As such, building a consensus regarding best practices is of great value. Objective: This systematic review is designed to describe and evaluate the variations in methodology used in previous rt-fMRI-NF studies to provide recommendations for rt-fMRI-NF study designs that are mostly likely to elicit reproducible and consistent effects of neurofeedback. Methods: We conducted a database search for fMRI neurofeedback papers published prior to September 26th, 2019. Of 558 studies identified, 146 met criteria for inclusion. The following information was collected from each study: sample size and type, task used, neurofeedback calculation, regulation procedure, feedback, whether feedback was explicitly related to changing brain activity, feedback timing, control group for active neurofeedback, how many runs and sessions of neurofeedback, if a follow-up was conducted, and the results of neurofeedback training. Results: rt-fMRI-NF is typically upregulation practice based on hemodynamic response from a specific region of the brain presented using a continually updating thermometer display. Most rt-fMRI-NF studies are conducted in healthy samples and half evaluate its effect on immediate changes in behavior or affect. The most popular control group method is to provide sham signal from another region; however, many studies do not compare use a comparison group. Conclusions: We make several suggestions for designs of future rt-fMRI-NF studies. Researchers should use feedback calculation methods that consider neural response across regions (i.e., SVM or connectivity), which should be conveyed as intermittent, auditory feedback. Participants should be given explicit instructions and should be assessed on individual differences. Future rt-fMRI-NF studies should use clinical samples; effectiveness of rt-fMRI-NF should be evaluated on clinical/behavioral outcomes at follow-up time points in comparison to both a sham and no feedback control group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Reza Momenan
- Clinical NeuroImaging Research Core, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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12
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Current progress in real-time functional magnetic resonance-based neurofeedback: Methodological challenges and achievements. Neuroimage 2019; 202:116107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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13
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Skottnik L, Linden DEJ. Mental Imagery and Brain Regulation-New Links Between Psychotherapy and Neuroscience. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:779. [PMID: 31736799 PMCID: PMC6831624 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mental imagery is a promising tool and mechanism of psychological interventions, particularly for mood and anxiety disorders. In parallel developments, neuromodulation techniques have shown promise as add-on therapies in psychiatry, particularly non-invasive brain stimulation for depression. However, these techniques have not yet been combined in a systematic manner. One novel technology that may be able to achieve this is neurofeedback, which entails the self-regulation of activation in specific brain areas or networks (or the self-modulation of distributed activation patterns) by the patients themselves, through real-time feedback of brain activation (for example, from functional magnetic resonance imaging). One of the key mechanisms by which patients learn such self-regulation is mental imagery. Here, we will first review the main mental imagery approaches in psychotherapy and the implicated brain networks. We will then discuss how these networks can be targeted with neuromodulation (neurofeedback or non-invasive or invasive brain stimulation). We will review the clinical evidence for neurofeedback and discuss possible ways of enhancing it through systematic combination with psychological interventions, with a focus on depression, anxiety disorders, and addiction. The overarching aim of this perspective paper will be to open a debate on new ways of developing neuropsychotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David E. J. Linden
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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14
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Adams RC, Sedgmond J, Maizey L, Chambers CD, Lawrence NS. Food Addiction: Implications for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Overeating. Nutrients 2019; 11:E2086. [PMID: 31487791 PMCID: PMC6770567 DOI: 10.3390/nu11092086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
With the obesity epidemic being largely attributed to overeating, much research has been aimed at understanding the psychological causes of overeating and using this knowledge to develop targeted interventions. Here, we review this literature under a model of food addiction and present evidence according to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) criteria for substance use disorders. We review several innovative treatments related to a food addiction model ranging from cognitive intervention tasks to neuromodulation techniques. We conclude that there is evidence to suggest that, for some individuals, food can induce addictive-type behaviours similar to those seen with other addictive substances. However, with several DSM-5 criteria having limited application to overeating, the term 'food addiction' is likely to apply only in a minority of cases. Nevertheless, research investigating the underlying psychological causes of overeating within the context of food addiction has led to some novel and potentially effective interventions. Understanding the similarities and differences between the addictive characteristics of food and illicit substances should prove fruitful in further developing these interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Adams
- CUBRIC, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK.
| | - Jemma Sedgmond
- CUBRIC, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Leah Maizey
- CUBRIC, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | | | - Natalia S Lawrence
- School of Psychology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK
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15
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da Costa KG, Price M, Bortolotti H, de Medeiros Rêgo ML, Cabral DAR, Langer RD, Fernandes GA, Elsangedy HM, Fontes EB. Fat mass predicts food-specific inhibitory control in children. Physiol Behav 2019; 204:155-161. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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16
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Lubianiker N, Goldway N, Fruchtman-Steinbok T, Paret C, Keynan JN, Singer N, Cohen A, Kadosh KC, Linden DEJ, Hendler T. Process-based framework for precise neuromodulation. Nat Hum Behav 2019; 3:436-445. [DOI: 10.1038/s41562-019-0573-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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17
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Kohl SH, Veit R, Spetter MS, Günther A, Rina A, Lührs M, Birbaumer N, Preissl H, Hallschmid M. Real-time fMRI neurofeedback training to improve eating behavior by self-regulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: A randomized controlled trial in overweight and obese subjects. Neuroimage 2019; 191:596-609. [PMID: 30798010 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is associated with altered responses to food stimuli in prefrontal brain networks that mediate inhibitory control of ingestive behavior. In particular, activity of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) is reduced in obese compared to normal-weight subjects and has been linked to the success of weight-loss dietary interventions. In a randomized controlled trial in overweight/obese subjects, we investigated the effect on eating behavior of volitional up-regulation of dlPFC activity via real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neurofeedback training. Thirty-eight overweight or obese subjects (BMI 25-40 kg/m2) took part in fMRI neurofeedback training with the aim of increasing activity of the left dlPFC (dlPFC group; n = 17) or of the visual cortex (VC/control group; n = 21). Participants were blinded to group assignment. The training session took place on a single day and included three training runs of six trials of up-regulation and passive viewing. Food appraisal and snack intake were assessed at screening, after training, and in a follow-up session four weeks later. Participants of both groups succeeded in up-regulating activity of the targeted brain area. However, participants of the control group also showed increased left dlPFC activity during up-regulation. Functional connectivity between dlPFC and ventromedial PFC, an area that processes food value, was generally increased during up-regulation compared to passive viewing. At follow-up compared to baseline, both groups rated pictures of high-, but not low-calorie foods as less palatable and chose them less frequently. Actual snack intake remained unchanged but palatability and choice ratings for chocolate cookies decreased after training. We demonstrate that one session of fMRI neurofeedback training enables individuals with increased body weight to up-regulate activity of the left dlPFC. Behavioral effects were observed in both groups, which might have been due to dlPFC co-activation in the control group and, in addition, unspecific training effects. Improved dlPFC-vmPFC functional connectivity furthermore suggested enhanced food intake-related control mechanisms. Neurofeedback training might support therapeutic strategies aiming at improved self-control in obesity, although the respective contributions of area-specific mechanisms and general regulation effects are in need of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon H Kohl
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Germany; Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich Research Center, Jülich, Germany
| | - Ralf Veit
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany; High-Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maartje S Spetter
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Germany; School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Astrid Günther
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andriani Rina
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Germany; High-Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Lührs
- Brain Innovation B.V, Research Department, Maastricht, Netherlands; Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Netherlands
| | - Niels Birbaumer
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Germany; Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering, Geneva, 1202, Switzerland
| | - Hubert Preissl
- Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Interfaculty Centre for Pharmacogenomics and Pharma Research, Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Manfred Hallschmid
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany
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18
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Percik R, Cina J, Even B, Gitler A, Geva D, Seluk L, Livny A. A pilot study of a novel therapeutic approach to obesity: CNS modification by N.I.R. H.E.G. neurofeedback. Clin Nutr 2019; 38:258-263. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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19
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Feasibility of NIRS-based neurofeedback training in social anxiety disorder: behavioral and neural correlates. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2018; 126:1175-1185. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-018-1954-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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20
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Imperatori C, Mancini M, Della Marca G, Valenti EM, Farina B. Feedback-Based Treatments for Eating Disorders and Related Symptoms: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Nutrients 2018; 10:E1806. [PMID: 30463330 PMCID: PMC6265864 DOI: 10.3390/nu10111806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The effectiveness of biofeedback and neurofeedback has been investigated in a range of psychiatric disorders. However, to date, there are few studies on the clinical usefulness of feedback-based techniques for eating disorders (EDs) and EDs-related symptoms (e.g., food craving). A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus and PsychINFO identified 162 articles. Among these, thirteen studies exploring the therapeutic use of biofeedback and neurofeedback in EDs or EDs-related symptoms were included. Biofeedback and neurofeedback were implemented respectively in five and eight of all reviewed articles. No studies incorporated different feedback modalities or both biofeedback and neurofeedback. The considered studies provide preliminary data of the usefulness of feedback-based techniques in the treatment of several dysfunctional eating behaviors (e.g., food craving, rumination). Although no significant effect has been reported for other important EDs-related symptoms (i.e., body image disturbance), feedback-based techniques are also associated with significant modifications of both sympathetic reaction to food-related stimuli and brain activity in several regions of the reward system (e.g., insula). Taken together the results of the present review suggest that feedback-based treatments may be useful in the treatment of several dysfunctional eating behaviors operating both on top-down and bottom-up individual coping strategies. Methodological and clinical issues are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Imperatori
- Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, Via degli Aldobrandeschi 190, 00163 Roma, Italy.
| | - Miranda Mancini
- Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, Via degli Aldobrandeschi 190, 00163 Roma, Italy.
| | - Giacomo Della Marca
- Sleep Disorders Unit, Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, 00153 Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrico Maria Valenti
- Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, Via degli Aldobrandeschi 190, 00163 Roma, Italy.
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Benedetto Farina
- Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, Via degli Aldobrandeschi 190, 00163 Roma, Italy.
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21
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Spetter MS. Current state of the use of neuroimaging techniques to understand and alter appetite control in humans. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2018; 21:329-335. [PMID: 29927764 DOI: 10.1097/mco.0000000000000493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW It is in the brain where the decision is made what and how much to eat. In the last decades neuroimaging research has contributed extensively to new knowledge about appetite control by revealing the underlying brain processes. Interestingly, there is the fast growing idea of using these methods to develop new treatments for obesity and eating disorders. In this review, we summarize the findings of the importance of the use of neuropharmacology and neuroimaging techniques in understanding and modifying appetite control. RECENT FINDINGS Appetite control is a complex interplay between homeostatic, hedonic, and cognitive processes. Administration of the neuropeptides insulin and oxytocin curb food intake and alter brain responses in reward and cognitive control areas. Additionally, these areas can be targeted for neuromodulation or neurofeedback to reduce food cravings and increase self-control to alter food intake. SUMMARY The recent findings reveal the potential of intranasal administration of hormones or modifying appetite control brain networks to reduce food consumption in volunteers with overweight and obesity or individuals with an eating disorder. Although long-term clinical studies are still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maartje S Spetter
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
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22
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Ehlis AC, Barth B, Hudak J, Storchak H, Weber L, Kimmig ACS, Kreifelts B, Dresler T, Fallgatter AJ. Near-Infrared Spectroscopy as a New Tool for Neurofeedback Training: Applications in Psychiatry and Methodological Considerations. JAPANESE PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jpr.12225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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23
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Basso F, Petit O, Le Bellu S, Lahlou S, Cancel A, Anton JL. Taste at first (person) sight: Visual perspective modulates brain activity implicitly associated with viewing unhealthy but not healthy foods. Appetite 2018; 128:242-254. [PMID: 29906489 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Every day, people are exposed to images of appetizing foods that can lead to high-calorie intake and contribute to overweight and obesity. Research has documented that manipulating the visual perspective from which eating is viewed helps resist temptation by altering the appraisal of unhealthy foods. However, the neural basis of this effect has not yet been examined using neuroimaging methods. Moreover, it is not known whether the benefits of this strategy can be observed when people, especially overweight, are not explicitly asked to imagine themselves eating. Last, it remains to be investigated if visual perspective could be used to promote healthy foods. The present work manipulated camera angles and tested whether visual perspective modulates activity in brain regions associated with taste and reward processing while participants watch videos featuring a hand grasping (unhealthy or healthy) foods from a plate during functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI). The plate was filmed from the perspective of the participant (first-person perspective; 1PP), or from a frontal view as if watching someone else eating (third-person perspective; 3PP). Our findings reveal that merely viewing unhealthy food cues from a 1PP (vs. 3PP) increases activity in brain regions that underlie representations of rewarding (appetitive) experiences (amygdala) and food intake (superior parietal gyrus). Additionally, our results show that ventral striatal activity is positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) during exposure to unhealthy foods from a 1PP (vs. 3PP). These findings suggest that unhealthy foods should be promoted through third-person (video) images to weaken the reward associated with their simulated consumption, especially amongst overweight people. It appears however that, as such, manipulating visual perspective fails to enhance the perception of healthy foods. Their promotion thus requires complementary solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Basso
- Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK.
| | - Olivia Petit
- Kedge Business School, Domaine de Luminy, Rue Antoine Bourdelle, 13009 Marseille France
| | - Sophie Le Bellu
- Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK
| | - Saadi Lahlou
- Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK
| | - Aïda Cancel
- Timone Institute of Neuroscience, UMR 7289, CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Jean-Luc Anton
- Centre d'IRM Fonctionnelle Cérébrale, Timone Institute of Neuroscience, UMR 7289, CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
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24
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Sokunbi MO. Using real-time fMRI brain-computer interfacing to treat eating disorders. J Neurol Sci 2018; 388:109-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 03/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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25
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Thibault RT, MacPherson A, Lifshitz M, Roth RR, Raz A. Neurofeedback with fMRI: A critical systematic review. Neuroimage 2018; 172:786-807. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.12.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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26
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Cognitive and neuromodulation strategies for unhealthy eating and obesity: Systematic review and discussion of neurocognitive mechanisms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 87:161-191. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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27
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Higgs S, Spetter MS, Thomas JM, Rotshtein P, Lee M, Hallschmid M, Dourish CT. Interactions between metabolic, reward and cognitive processes in appetite control: Implications for novel weight management therapies. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:1460-1474. [PMID: 29072515 PMCID: PMC5700796 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117736917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Traditional models of appetite control have emphasised the role of parallel homeostatic and hedonic systems, but more recently the distinction between independent homeostatic and hedonic systems has been abandoned in favour of a framework that emphasises the cross talk between the neurochemical substrates of the two systems. In addition, evidence has emerged more recently, that higher level cognitive functions such as learning, memory and attention play an important role in everyday appetite control and that homeostatic signals also play a role in cognition. Here, we review this evidence and present a comprehensive model of the control of appetite that integrates cognitive, homeostatic and reward mechanisms. We discuss the implications of this model for understanding the factors that may contribute to disordered patterns of eating and suggest opportunities for developing more effective treatment approaches for eating disorders and weight management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Higgs
- 1 School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Jason M Thomas
- 2 Department of Psychology, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Pia Rotshtein
- 1 School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Michelle Lee
- 3 Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Manfred Hallschmid
- 4 Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- 6 Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Brooks SJ, Funk SG, Young SY, Schiöth HB. The Role of Working Memory for Cognitive Control in Anorexia Nervosa versus Substance Use Disorder. Front Psychol 2017; 8:1651. [PMID: 29018381 PMCID: PMC5615794 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Prefrontal cortex executive functions, such as working memory (WM) interact with limbic processes to foster impulse control. Such an interaction is referred to in a growing body of publications by terms such as cognitive control, cognitive inhibition, affect regulation, self-regulation, top-down control, and cognitive–emotion interaction. The rising trend of research into cognitive control of impulsivity, using various related terms reflects the importance of research into impulse control, as failure to employ cognitions optimally may eventually result in mental disorder. Against this background, we take a novel approach using an impulse control spectrum model – where anorexia nervosa (AN) and substance use disorder (SUD) are at opposite extremes – to examine the role of WM for cognitive control. With this aim, we first summarize WM processes in the healthy brain in order to frame a systematic review of the neuropsychological, neural and genetic findings of AN and SUD. In our systematic review of WM/cognitive control, we found n = 15 studies of AN with a total of n = 582 AN and n = 365 HC participants; and n = 93 studies of SUD with n = 9106 SUD and n = 3028 HC participants. In particular, we consider how WM load/capacity may support the neural process of excessive epistemic foraging (cognitive sampling of the environment to test predictions about the world) in AN that reduces distraction from salient stimuli. We also consider the link between WM and cognitive control in people with SUD who are prone to ‘jumping to conclusions’ and reduced epistemic foraging. Finally, in light of our review, we consider WM training as a novel research tool and an adjunct to enhance treatment that improves cognitive control of impulsivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J Brooks
- Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala UniversityUppsala, Sweden.,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape TownCape Town, South Africa
| | - Sabina G Funk
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape TownCape Town, South Africa
| | - Susanne Y Young
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch UniversityBellville, South Africa
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala UniversityUppsala, Sweden
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Neurofeedback in Substance Use and Overeating: Current Applications and Future Directions. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40429-017-0137-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Imperatori C, Valenti EM, Della Marca G, Amoroso N, Massullo C, Carbone GA, Maestoso G, Quintiliani MI, Contardi A, Farina B. Coping food craving with neurofeedback. Evaluation of the usefulness of alpha/theta training in a non-clinical sample. Int J Psychophysiol 2017; 112:89-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2016.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Letra L, Pereira D, Castelo-Branco M. Functional Neuroimaging in Obesity Research. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 19:239-248. [PMID: 28933068 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-63260-5_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Functional neuroimaging is beginning to yield valuable insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of the effects of obesity on neural circuits. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies have been used to identify aberrant activation patterns in regions implicated in reward (e.g., striatum, orbitofrontal cortex, insula), emotion and memory (e.g., amygdala, hippocampus), sensory and motor processing (e.g., insula, precentral gyrus), and cognitive control and attention (e.g., prefrontal cortex, cingulate) in obese individuals. Although a great amount of research using these techniques has already unveiled the influence of different neural response patterns on obesogenic behaviors, in this chapter we will, otherwise, try to highlight the effects of obesity on specific neuronal circuits and discuss recent developments in fMRI-based neurofeedback approaches as an alternative in obesity treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Letra
- Institute of Physiology, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences-IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Daniela Pereira
- IBILI-Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Neuroradiology Unit - Medical Imaging Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- IBILI-Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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