Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback for Enhancing Positive Autobiographical Memory and Reducing Depression
Poster No:
53
Submission Type:
Abstract Submission
Authors:
Lianqing Zhang1, Liqiong Liu1, Hailong Li1, Yingxue Gao1, Xiaoqi Huang2
Institutions:
1Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 2Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, SiChuan
First Author:
Lianqing Zhang
Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Chengdu, Sichuan
Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Chengdu, Sichuan
Co-Author(s):
Liqiong Liu
Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Chengdu, Sichuan
Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Chengdu, Sichuan
Hailong Li
Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Chengdu, Sichuan
Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Chengdu, Sichuan
Yingxue Gao
Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Chengdu, Sichuan
Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Chengdu, Sichuan
Xiaoqi Huang
Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Chengdu, SiChuan
Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Chengdu, SiChuan
Introduction:
Real-time fMRI neurofeedback (RTNF) is increasingly recognized as a promising tool for training self-regulation of neural activity, particularly in regions implicated in emotional regulation, such as the amygdala, through positive autobiographical memory recall tasks (Goldway, 2022). Previous studies have identified hippocampal abnormalities in individuals with depression, which can be reversed through antidepressant treatments or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), suggesting that enhancing hippocampal function may be a viable strategy for improving mood and emotional well-being (Tartt, 2022). Only one previous study has attempted to upregulate hippocampal activity through RTNF; however, this study reported only a slight reduction in depression levels (Zhu, 2019). The current study aims to explore the effectiveness of RTNF in enhancing hippocampal activity while simultaneously reducing depression levels in healthy young adults.
Methods:
A total of 16 healthy college students (Age: 21.5 ± 1.211 yrs; 9/7 f/m) participated in the neurofeedback training program. The experimental procedure began with participants completing self-assessments using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS).
All fMRI data was acquired by a 3 T United Imaging MR system, and OpenNFT was used for neurofeedback training. On Day 1, participants were explained the details of the experiment and recorded three positive autobiographical memories. They then engaged in a practice run to familiarize themselves with the process. On Day 2, participants underwent four runs of upregulation training, with feedback provided on the percent signal change (PSC) in the left hippocampus. Participants were instructed to self-regulate their hippocampal activity based on the feedback displayed on the screen. The third run served as a transfer run, where the screen was identical but no feedback was given; however, participants were still encouraged to upregulate their hippocampal activity independently. After the 4 training runs, participants completed the SDS and SAS again to assess changes in their depression and anxiety levels.
All fMRI data was acquired by a 3 T United Imaging MR system, and OpenNFT was used for neurofeedback training. On Day 1, participants were explained the details of the experiment and recorded three positive autobiographical memories. They then engaged in a practice run to familiarize themselves with the process. On Day 2, participants underwent four runs of upregulation training, with feedback provided on the percent signal change (PSC) in the left hippocampus. Participants were instructed to self-regulate their hippocampal activity based on the feedback displayed on the screen. The third run served as a transfer run, where the screen was identical but no feedback was given; however, participants were still encouraged to upregulate their hippocampal activity independently. After the 4 training runs, participants completed the SDS and SAS again to assess changes in their depression and anxiety levels.
Results:
Post-training assessments showed a significant reduction in depression levels, with an average decrease of 5.61 points on the SDS (paired t-test, p < 0.001), and anxiety levels decreased by an average of 4.06 points on the SAS (paired t-test, p = 0.001, fig 1). Despite these psychological improvements, there was no significant upregulation of hippocampal PSC activity during training (block design GLM, p > 0.05).
Additionally, a significant interaction was observed in the bilateral middle temporal gyrus and the right supra marginal gyrus via repeated measures ANOVA (voxel-level p<0.001, cluster-level FWE corrected p<0.05), with activation during feedback runs and deactivation during transfer runs (fig 2).
Additionally, a significant interaction was observed in the bilateral middle temporal gyrus and the right supra marginal gyrus via repeated measures ANOVA (voxel-level p<0.001, cluster-level FWE corrected p<0.05), with activation during feedback runs and deactivation during transfer runs (fig 2).
·Figure1. Depression and anxiety levels significantly decreased after a 4-run neurofeedback session.
·Figure2. Neurofeedback Study Overview
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates that real-time fMRI neurofeedback can effectively reduce depression and anxiety levels in healthy young adults, as evidenced by significant decreases in post-training SDS and SAS scores. However, the anticipated upregulation of hippocampal activity was not confirmed during the neurofeedback runs, which may require more training sessions. The observed activation in the bilateral inferior occipital lobe and right supramarginal gyrus suggests that cognitive processes related to feedback may play a role in emotional regulation. Future research should further investigate the mechanisms of RTNF and explore ways to enhance hippocampal engagement to optimize therapeutic outcomes.
Brain Stimulation:
Non-Invasive Stimulation Methods Other 1
Disorders of the Nervous System:
Psychiatric (eg. Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia) 2
Emotion, Motivation and Social Neuroscience:
Emotional Learning
Learning and Memory:
Learning and Memory Other
Keywords:
Affective Disorders
Emotions
FUNCTIONAL MRI
Memory
MRI
Psychiatric Disorders
Other - neurofeedback
1|2Indicates the priority used for review
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Provide references using APA citation style.
2. Tartt, Alexandria N., et al. "Dysregulation of adult hippocampal neuroplasticity in major depression: pathogenesis and therapeutic implications." Molecular psychiatry 27.6 (2022): 2689-2699.
3. Zhu, Yashuo, et al. "Emotion regulation of hippocampus using real-time fMRI neurofeedback in healthy human." Frontiers in human neuroscience 13 (2019): 242.