Abstract
Neurofeedback (NF) based on real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) allows voluntary regulation of the activity in a selected brain region. For the training of this regulation, a well-designed feedback system is required. Social reward may serve as an effective incentive in NF paradigms, but its efficiency has not yet been tested. Therefore, we developed a social reward NF paradigm and assessed it in comparison with a typical visual NF paradigm (moving bar). We trained twenty-four healthy participants, on three consecutive days, to control activation in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) with fMRI-based NF. In the social feedback group, an avatar gradually smiled when ACC activity increased, whereas in the standard feedback group, a moving bar indicated the activation level. In order to assess a transfer of the NF training both groups were asked to up-regulate their brain activity without receiving feedback immediately before and after the NF training (pre- and post-test). Finally, the effect of the acquired NF training on ACC function was evaluated in a cognitive interference task (Simon task) during the pre- and post-test. Social reward led to stronger activity in the ACC and reward-related areas during the NF training when compared to standard feedback. After the training, both groups were able to regulate ACC without receiving feedback, with a trend for stronger responses in the social feedback group. Moreover, despite a lack of behavioral differences, significant higher ACC activations emerged in the cognitive interference task, reflecting a stronger generalization of the NF training on cognitive interference processing after social feedback. Social reward can increase self-regulation in fMRI-based NF and strengthen its effects on neural processing in related tasks, such as cognitive interference. A particular advantage of social feedback is that a direct external reward is provided as in natural social interactions, opening perspectives for implicit learning paradigms.
Highlights
People constantly control their brain activity by engaging in voluntary actions that are linked to activation of specific brain regions
We found that anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activation during cognitive interference processing was reduced after social reward compared to standard feedback
The present study investigated the effectiveness of social reward in real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (rt-fMRI) NF training of the ACC and compared it to a standardtype feedback in form of a moving bar
Summary
People constantly control their brain activity by engaging in voluntary actions that are linked to activation of specific brain regions (deCharms et al, 2005; deCharms, 2007). Neurofeedback (NF) based on real-time fMRI (rt-fMRI) takes us even a step further: Subjects can voluntarily change the activity in a selected brain region and directly see the effect of the evoked brain activation. This particular method is still relatively new and subject to certain limitations, its potential implications are vast
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