Poster No:
56
Submission Type:
Late-Breaking Abstract Submission
Authors:
Anqi Gu1, Zhenglin Chen1, Xiaolei Xu2, Joseph Dexter3,4, Benjamin Becker5,6, Zhiying Zhao1
Institutions:
1Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China, 2School of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan, Shandong, 3Centre for Data Science, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China, 4Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Macau, Macao, China, 5The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, 6Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
First Author:
Anqi Gu
Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau
Macao, China
Co-Author(s):
Zhenglin Chen
Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau
Macao, China
Xiaolei Xu
School of Psychology, Shandong Normal University
Ji'nan, Shandong
Joseph Dexter
Centre for Data Science, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau|Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Macau
Macao, China|Macao, China
Benjamin Becker
The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong|Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, China|Hong Kong, China
Zhiying Zhao
Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau
Macao, China
Introduction:
Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is increasingly recognized as an emerging mental health condition, yet efficacious treatments are currently lacking (Zajac, 2020). Craving, a hallmark symptom and motivational driver of addiction, is associated with heightened mesolimbic dopamine system activity, particularly in the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) (Haber, 2017). Real-time fMRI neurofeedback (rt-fMRI NF) offers a non-invasive neuromodulatory approach to regulate activity in deep brain structures. However, its efficacy in alleviating IGD symptoms or those of other behavioral addictions has yet to be established (Becker, 2017). In this pre-registered, randomized, single-blind study (NCT06063642), we investigated the efficacy of a VTA down-regulation rt-fMRI NF training protocol in mitigating cue-induced hyperreactivity in individuals at risk for IGD.
Methods:
Twenty young adults with elevated risk for IGD completed two neurofeedback training sessions. Participants were trained to down-regulate the feedback signal following exposure to gaming cues. The experimental group (N=10) received neurofeedback from VTA, while the control group (N=10) received sham feedback from the middle temporal gyrus, a region unrelated to reward processing. The primary outcome was the change in self-reported craving levels. Secondary outcomes included changes in VTA activity regulation and inhibitory responses during a Go/No-go task.
Results:
The experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in regulating VTA cue-reactivity compared to the control group (P = .018), indicating successful self-regulation learning that transferred to non-neurofeedback tasks. Both groups reported significant reductions in craving levels (P = .002), with no significant between-group difference (P = .10). Similarly, behavioral improvements in inhibitory response were not different between groups (Ps > .12).
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that VTA-targeted rt-fMRI NF enhances control over craving-related dopaminergic midbrain activity, highlighting its potential as an early intervention for IGD and other behavioral addictions (Becker, 2017). The absence of between-group differences in craving reduction underscores the need for further research with larger samples.
Brain Stimulation:
Non-Invasive Stimulation Methods Other 1
Disorders of the Nervous System:
Psychiatric (eg. Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia) 2
Keywords:
Addictions
Treatment
Other - real-time fMRI neurofeedback
1|2Indicates the priority used for review
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Please indicate below if your study was a "resting state" or "task-activation” study.
Task-activation
Healthy subjects only or patients (note that patient studies may also involve healthy subjects):
Healthy subjects
Was this research conducted in the United States?
No
Were any human subjects research approved by the relevant Institutional Review Board or ethics panel?
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Were any animal research approved by the relevant IACUC or other animal research panel?
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Please indicate which methods were used in your research:
Functional MRI
Behavior
Neuropsychological testing
For human MRI, what field strength scanner do you use?
3.0T
Which processing packages did you use for your study?
SPM
Provide references using APA citation style.
Zajac, K., (2020). Treatments of internet gaming disorder: a systematic review of the evidence. Expert review of neurotherapeutics, 20(1), 85-93.
Haber, S. N. (2017). Anatomy and connectivity of the reward circuit. In Decision neuroscience (pp. 3-19). Academic Press.
Becker, B., (2017). Opinion: real-time fMRI neurofeedback and the application of the neuropeptide oxytocin as promising new treatment approaches in internet addiction?. Internet Addiction: Neuroscientific Approaches and Therapeutical Implications Including Smartphone Addiction, 311-321.
No