Abstract
Purpose of reviewRecent developments in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have catalyzed a new field of translational neuroscience. Using fMRI to monitor the aspects of task-related changes in neural activation or brain connectivity, investigators can offer feedback of simple or complex neural signals/patterns back to the participant on a quasireal-time basis [real-time-fMRI-based neurofeedback (rt-fMRI-NF)]. Here, we introduce some background methodology of the new developments in this field and give a perspective on how they may be used in neurorehabilitation in the future.Recent findingsThe development of rt-fMRI-NF has been used to promote self-regulation of activity in several brain regions and networks. In addition, and unlike other noninvasive techniques, rt-fMRI-NF can access specific subcortical regions and in principle any region that can be monitored using fMRI including the cerebellum, brainstem and spinal cord. In Parkinson's disease and stroke, rt-fMRI-NF has been demonstrated to alter neural activity after the self-regulation training was completed and to modify specific behaviours.SummaryFuture exploitation of rt-fMRI-NF could be used to induce neuroplasticity in brain networks that are involved in certain neurological conditions. However, currently, the use of rt-fMRI-NF in randomized, controlled clinical trials is in its infancy.
Highlights
Over the last quarter of a century, functional magnetic resonance imaging has become an important tool for the noninvasive monitoring of neural activity in human participants undertaking a wide range of behaviours and altered neural activity in neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and stroke. fMRI measures changes in the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal and provides a surrogate measure of neural activity
Neurofeedback using fMRI or other neurovascular techniques has good conceptual validity for neurorehabilitation, because it can support the internal activation of compensatory processes and may aid the restitution of damaged brain tissue but its evaluation is still in its infancy
Both mechanistic and clinical studies are needed to evaluate the potential of neurofeedback to promote neuroplasticity and aid functional recovery
Summary
Over the last quarter of a century, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become an important tool for the noninvasive monitoring of neural activity in human participants undertaking a wide range of behaviours and altered neural activity in neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and stroke. fMRI measures changes in the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal and provides a surrogate measure of neural activity. With the advent of increasingly fast processing tools, it has become possible to measure changes in task-related BOLD signal, for example during a hand grasp, and neural activity of a ‘motor task network’, on a quasireal-time subsecond basis (more advanced processing of raw data for large network connectivity measures still takes 1–5 s in practice) [1]. In principle, able to learn how to regulate complex aMRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, and Cardiff University Brain Imaging Centre, Cardiff and bNeurorehabilitation Unit, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, UK
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