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Lin T, Rana M, Liu P, Polk R, Heemskerk A, Weisberg SM, Bowers D, Sitaram R, Ebner NC. Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training of Selective Attention in Older Adults. Brain Sci 2024; 14:931. [PMID: 39335425 PMCID: PMC11430676 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14090931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selective attention declines with age, due to age-related functional changes in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI) neurofeedback has been used in young adults to train volitional control of brain activity, including in dACC. METHODS For the first time, this study used rtfMRI neurofeedback to train 19 young and 27 older adults in volitional up- or down-regulation of bilateral dACC during a selective attention task. RESULTS Older participants in the up-regulation condition (experimental group) showed greater reward points and dACC BOLD signal across training sessions, reflective of neurofeedback training success; and faster reaction time and better response accuracy, suggesting behavioral benefits on selective attention. These effects were not observed for older participants in the down-regulation condition (inverse condition control group), supporting specificity of volitional dACC up-regulation training in older adults. These effects were, unexpectedly, also not observed for young participants in the up-regulation condition (age control group), perhaps due to a lack of motivation to continue the training. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide promising first evidence of functional plasticity in dACC in late life via rtfMRI neurofeedback up-regulation training, enhancing selective attention, and demonstrate proof of concept of rtfMRI neurofeedback training in cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Lin
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (P.L.); (R.P.); (A.H.); (S.M.W.); (N.C.E.)
| | - Mohit Rana
- Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering, Department of Psychiatry and Section of Neuroscience, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile;
| | - Peiwei Liu
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (P.L.); (R.P.); (A.H.); (S.M.W.); (N.C.E.)
| | - Rebecca Polk
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (P.L.); (R.P.); (A.H.); (S.M.W.); (N.C.E.)
| | - Amber Heemskerk
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (P.L.); (R.P.); (A.H.); (S.M.W.); (N.C.E.)
| | - Steven M. Weisberg
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (P.L.); (R.P.); (A.H.); (S.M.W.); (N.C.E.)
| | - Dawn Bowers
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | | | - Natalie C. Ebner
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (P.L.); (R.P.); (A.H.); (S.M.W.); (N.C.E.)
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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2
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Pereira DJ, Sayal A, Pereira J, Morais S, Macedo A, Direito B, Castelo-Branco M. Neurofeedback-dependent influence of the ventral striatum using a working memory paradigm targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1014223. [PMID: 36844653 PMCID: PMC9947361 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1014223] [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: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Executive functions and motivation have been established as key aspects for neurofeedback success. However, task-specific influence of cognitive strategies is scarcely explored. In this study, we test the ability to modulate the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a strong candidate for clinical application of neurofeedback in several disorders with dysexecutive syndrome, and investigate how feedback contributes to better performance in a single session. Participants of both neurofeedback (n = 17) and sham-control (n = 10) groups were able to modulate DLPFC in most runs (with or without feedback) while performing a working memory imagery task. However, activity in the target area was higher and more sustained in the active group when receiving feedback. Furthermore, we found increased activity in the nucleus accumbens in the active group, compared with a predominantly negative response along the block in participants receiving sham feedback. Moreover, they acknowledged the non-contingency between imagery and feedback, reflecting the impact on motivation. This study reinforces DLPFC as a robust target for neurofeedback clinical implementations and enhances the critical influence of the ventral striatum, both poised to achieve success in the self-regulation of brain activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Jardim Pereira
- Neurorradiology Functional Area, Imaging Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Center, Coimbra, Portugal,Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alexandre Sayal
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,Siemens Healthineers Portugal, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Pereira
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sofia Morais
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,Psychiatry Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Center, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - António Macedo
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,Psychiatry Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Center, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Bruno Direito
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,IATV—Instituto do Ambiente, Tecnologia e Vida (IATV), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,*Correspondence: Miguel Castelo-Branco
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3
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Sorger B, Scharnowski F, Linden DEJ, Hampson M, Young KD. Control freaks: Towards optimal selection of control conditions for fMRI neurofeedback studies. Neuroimage 2019; 186:256-265. [PMID: 30423429 PMCID: PMC6338498 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
fMRI Neurofeedback research employs many different control conditions. Currently, there is no consensus as to which control condition is best, and the answer depends on what aspects of the neurofeedback-training design one is trying to control for. These aspects can range from determining whether participants can learn to control brain activity via neurofeedback to determining whether there are clinically significant effects of the neurofeedback intervention. Lack of consensus over criteria for control conditions has hampered the design and interpretation of studies employing neurofeedback protocols. This paper presents an overview of the most commonly employed control conditions currently used in neurofeedback studies and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. Control conditions covered include no control, treatment-as-usual, bidirectional-regulation control, feedback of an alternative brain signal, sham feedback, and mental-rehearsal control. We conclude that the selection of the control condition(s) should be determined by the specific research goal of the study and best procedures that effectively control for relevant confounding factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Sorger
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Frank Scharnowski
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zürich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland; Zürich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David E J Linden
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Michelle Hampson
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Psychiatry and the Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kymberly D Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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4
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Hong KS, Zafar A. Existence of Initial Dip for BCI: An Illusion or Reality. Front Neurorobot 2018; 12:69. [PMID: 30416440 PMCID: PMC6212489 DOI: 10.3389/fnbot.2018.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A tight coupling between the neuronal activity and the cerebral blood flow (CBF) is the motivation of many hemodynamic response (HR)-based neuroimaging modalities. The increase in neuronal activity causes the increase in CBF that is indirectly measured by HR modalities. Upon functional stimulation, the HR is mainly categorized in three durations: (i) initial dip, (ii) conventional HR (i.e., positive increase in HR caused by an increase in the CBF), and (iii) undershoot. The initial dip is a change in oxygenation prior to any subsequent increase in CBF and spatially more specific to the site of neuronal activity. Despite additional evidence from various HR modalities on the presence of initial dip in human and animal species (i.e., cat, rat, and monkey); the existence/occurrence of an initial dip in HR is still under debate. This article reviews the existence and elusive nature of the initial dip duration of HR in intrinsic signal optical imaging (ISOI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The advent of initial dip and its elusiveness factors in ISOI and fMRI studies are briefly discussed. Furthermore, the detection of initial dip and its role in brain-computer interface using fNIRS is examined in detail. The best possible application for the initial dip utilization and its future implications using fNIRS are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keum-Shik Hong
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea.,Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Amad Zafar
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
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5
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Task-based metabolic changes in the left dorsolateral prefrontal region during the letter N-back working memory task using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Neuroreport 2018; 29:147-152. [PMID: 29215468 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000000943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies have consistently provided evidence on the role of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in working memory. Recent studies have shown that the changes in metabolites in the brain could be detected upon functional activation using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Therefore, we carried out a study in healthy control participants to understand the changes in metabolites during a letter N-back working memory task in the left dorsolateral prefrontal region. Single-voxel spectra were acquired from the left dorsolateral prefrontal region in 10 healthy control participants. The concentrations of metabolites were measured using a point-resolved spectroscopy sequence at three different time points, namely, before, during, and after the performance of the task. Repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated a main effect of time for glutamate concentrations and not for other metabolites. The healthy control participants showed a significant increase in glutamate concentrations during the performance of the letter N-back task. It was then followed by a significant decrease in the glutamate concentrations returning to the baseline after the task. The proposed method would be useful in understanding the dynamic changes in glutamate during the letter N-back task to examine the cognitive impairment in various neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.
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6
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Sherwood MS, Parker JG, Diller EE, Ganapathy S, Bennett K, Nelson JT. Volitional down-regulation of the primary auditory cortex via directed attention mediated by real-time fMRI neurofeedback. AIMS Neurosci 2018; 5:179-199. [PMID: 32341960 PMCID: PMC7179344 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2018.3.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The present work assessed the efficacy of training volitional down-regulation of the primary auditory cortex (A1) based on real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (fMRI-NFT). A1 has been shown to be hyperactive in chronic tinnitus patients, and has been implicated as a potential source for the tinnitus percept. 27 healthy volunteers with normal hearing underwent 5 fMRI-NFT sessions: 18 received real neurofeedback and 9 sham neurofeedback. Each session was composed of a simple auditory fMRI followed by 2 runs of A1 fMRI-NFT. The auditory fMRI alternated periods of no auditory with periods of white noise stimulation at 90 dB. A1 activity, defined from a region using the activity during the preceding auditory run, was continuously updated during fMRI-NFT using a simple bar plot, and was accompanied by white noise (90 dB) stimulation for the duration of the scan. Each fMRI-NFT run alternated “relax” periods with “lower” periods. Subjects were instructed to watch the bar during the relax condition and actively reduce the bar by decreasing A1 activation during the lower condition. Average A1 de-activation, representative of the ability to volitionally down-regulate A1, was extracted from each fMRI-NFT run. A1 de-activation was found to increase significantly across training and to be higher in those receiving real neurofeedback. A1 de-activation in sessions 2 and 5 were found to be significantly greater than session 1 in only the group receiving real neurofeedback. The most successful subjects reportedly adopted mindfulness tasks associated with directed attention. For the first time, fMRI-NFT has been applied to teach volitional control of A1 de-activation magnitude over more than 1 session. These are important findings for therapeutic development as the magnitude of A1 activity is altered in tinnitus populations and it is unlikely a single fMRI-NFT session will reverse the effects of tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Sherwood
- Department of Biomedical, Industrial & Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Jason G Parker
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University, IN, USA
| | - Emily E Diller
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University, IN, USA.,School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Subhashini Ganapathy
- Department of Biomedical, Industrial & Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA.,Department of Trauma Care, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Kevin Bennett
- Department of Psychology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Jeremy T Nelson
- Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence, JBSA-Lackland, USA
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7
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Sherwood MS, Diller EE, Ey E, Ganapathy S, Nelson JT, Parker JG. A Protocol for the Administration of Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28872110 PMCID: PMC5614365 DOI: 10.3791/55543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurologic disorders are characterized by abnormal cellular-, molecular-, and circuit-level functions in the brain. New methods to induce and control neuroplastic processes and correct abnormal function, or even shift functions from damaged tissue to physiologically healthy brain regions, hold the potential to dramatically improve overall health. Of the current neuroplastic interventions in development, neurofeedback training (NFT) from functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has the advantages of being completely non-invasive, non-pharmacologic, and spatially localized to target brain regions, as well as having no known side effects. Furthermore, NFT techniques, initially developed using fMRI, can often be translated to exercises that can be performed outside of the scanner without the aid of medical professionals or sophisticated medical equipment. In fMRI NFT, the fMRI signal is measured from specific regions of the brain, processed, and presented to the participant in real-time. Through training, self-directed mental processing techniques, that regulate this signal and its underlying neurophysiologic correlates, are developed. FMRI NFT has been used to train volitional control over a wide range of brain regions with implications for several different cognitive, behavioral, and motor systems. Additionally, fMRI NFT has shown promise in a broad range of applications such as the treatment of neurologic disorders and the augmentation of baseline human performance. In this article, we present an fMRI NFT protocol developed at our institution for modulation of both healthy and abnormal brain function, as well as examples of using the method to target both cognitive and auditory regions of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Sherwood
- Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, Wright State University; Department of Biomedical, Industrial and Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University;
| | - Emily E Diller
- Department of Biomedical, Industrial and Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University
| | - Elizabeth Ey
- Pediatric Radiology and Medical Imaging, Dayton Children's Hospital
| | - Subhashini Ganapathy
- Department of Biomedical, Industrial and Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University; Department of Trauma Care and Surgery, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University
| | - Jeremy T Nelson
- Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence, JBSA-Lackland
| | - Jason G Parker
- Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, Wright State University; Department of Neurology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University
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8
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Gonçalves ÓF, Batistuzzo MC, Sato JR. Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2017; 13:1825-1834. [PMID: 28744133 PMCID: PMC5513821 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s121139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The current literature provides substantial evidence of brain alterations associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms (eg, checking, cleaning/decontamination, counting compulsions; harm or sexual, symmetry/exactness obsessions), and emotional problems (eg, defensive/appetitive emotional imbalance, disgust, guilt, shame, and fear learning/extinction) and cognitive impairments associated with this disorder (eg, inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility). Building on this evidence, new clinical trials can now target specific brain regions/networks. Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI) was introduced as a new therapeutic tool for the self-regulation of brain-mind. In this review, we describe initial trials testing the use of rtfMRI to target brain regions associated with specific OCD symptoms (eg, contamination), and other mind-brain processes (eg, cognitive - working memory, inhibitory control, emotional - defensive, appetitive systems, fear reduction through counter-conditioning) found impaired in OCD patients. While this is a novel topic of research, initial evidence shows the promise of using rtfMRI in training the self-regulation of brain regions and mental processes associated with OCD. Additionally, studies with healthy populations have shown that individuals can regulate brain regions associated with cognitive and emotional processes found impaired in OCD. After the initial "proof-of-concept" stage, there is a need to follow up with controlled clinical trials that could test rtfMRI innovative treatments targeting brain regions and networks associated with different OCD symptoms and cognitive-emotional impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Óscar F Gonçalves
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Spaulding Neuromodulation Center, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Social and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Center for Health and Biological Sciences, Mackenzie Presbyterian University
| | - Marcelo C Batistuzzo
- Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School (FMUSP)
| | - João R Sato
- Mathematics, Computing, and Cognition Center, Universidade Federal do ABC – UFABC, São Paulo, Brazil
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