Success and failure of controlling the real‐time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback signal are reflected in the striatum

Abstract

Introduction Over the last decades, neurofeedback has been applied in variety of research contexts and therapeutic interventions. Despite this extensive use, its neural mechanisms are still under debate. Several scientific advances have suggested that different networks become jointly active during neurofeedback, including regions generally involved in self‐regulation, regions related to the specific mental task driving the neurofeedback and regions generally involved in feedback learning (Sitaram et al., 2017, Nature Reviews Neuroscience , 18, 86). Methods To investigate the neural mechanisms specific to neurofeedback but independent from general effects of self‐regulation, we compared brain activation as measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) across different mental tasks involving gradual self‐regulation with and without providing neurofeedback. Ten participants freely chose one self‐regulation task and underwent two training sessions during fMRI scanning, one with and one without receiving neurofeedback. During neurofeedback sessions, feedback signals were provided in real‐time based on activity in task‐related, individually defined target regions. In both sessions, participants aimed at reaching and holding low, medium, or high brain‐activation levels in the target region. Results During gradual self‐regulation with neurofeedback, a network of cortical control regions as well as regions implicated in reward and feedback processing were activated. Self‐regulation with feedback was accompanied by stronger activation within the striatum across different mental tasks. Additional time‐resolved single‐trial analysis revealed that neurofeedback performance was positively correlated with a delayed brain response in the striatum that reflected the accuracy of self‐regulation. Conclusion Overall, these findings support that neurofeedback contributes to self‐regulation through task‐general regions involved in feedback and reward processing.

Current progress in real-time functional magnetic resonance-based neurofeedback: Methodological challenges and achievements

“…In line with Sitaram et al's model, the dlPFC, lateral occipital cortex, and lateral thalamus were involved in NF control, whereas the ventral striatum was involved in reward processing. This finding aligns well with other empirical study of NF-related reward signals (Ramot, Grossman et al 2016, Shibata, Lisi et al 2019, Skottnik, Sorger et al 2019. In contrast to Sitaram et al's suggestion, the insula was not involved in reward processing but rather in NF control (Shibata et al 2019, Paret et al 2018.…”

Mental Imagery and Brain Regulation—New Links Between Psychotherapy and Neuroscience

“…Mental imagery is one of the most common strategies reported by participants training to control the neurofeedback signal and often explicitly suggested as a potential strategy by the investigators. For this reason, the same general networks related to self-regulation, emotion, and visual imagery are modulated during these neurofeedback interventions as discussed for the psychotherapeutic applications of mental imagery (124, 140, 141). As a crucial difference to conventional mental imagery approaches, neurofeedback training additionally entails providing information on a subcomponent of these networks to the participant.…”

“…This is usually achieved by training participants to increase brain activation in relevant areas during positive mental imagery (123–125, 126, 142) or to decrease activation in areas responsive to negative affective stimuli (143, 144). While neurofeedback provides information on whether a mental strategy is effective in modulating the neural basis of an emotional state, it has also been shown that neurofeedback at the same time stimulates the reward system (141, 145, 146) thereby potentially reinforcing the desired neural target state additionally (see the study by Sitaram et al (147) for an overview on prominent theoretical accounts on the working mechanisms of neurofeedback).…”

“…Prefrontal and parietal control regions implicated in mental imagery are also recruited during most neurofeedback approaches (140, 145), which may reflect the use of mental imagery strategy in neurofeedback training (although other cognitive component processes may also recruit parts of this network). In comparison to mental imagery by itself, however, neurofeedback additionally modulates activation in areas related to reward learning, notably, the striatum (141). While neurofeedback can therefore also be expected to generally reinforce top-down control during mental imagery, it should specifically facilitate interactions between control systems and the neurofeedback target region.…”

Understanding and improving neurofeedback-guided self-regulation

“…Skottnik, L., Sorger, B., Kamp, T., Linden, D., & Goebel, R. (2019). Success and failure of controlling the real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback signal are reflected in the striatum.Brain and Behavior, 9(3), e01240.157AbstractOver the last decades, neurofeedback has been applied in variety of research contexts and therapeutic interventions.…”