scholarly journals Directly Exploring the Neural Correlates of Feedback-Related Reward Saliency and Valence During Real-Time fMRI-Based Neurofeedback

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Direito ◽  
Manuel Ramos ◽  
João Pereira ◽  
Alexandre Sayal ◽  
Teresa Sousa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Visual Motion ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Neurofeedback Training ◽  
Feedback Processing ◽  
Positive Valence ◽  
Feedback Valence

Introduction: The potential therapeutic efficacy of real-time fMRI Neurofeedback has received increasing attention in a variety of psychological and neurological disorders and as a tool to probe cognition. Despite its growing popularity, the success rate varies significantly, and the underlying neural mechanisms are still a matter of debate. The question whether an individually tailored framework positively influences neurofeedback success remains largely unexplored.Methods: To address this question, participants were trained to modulate the activity of a target brain region, the visual motion area hMT+/V5, based on the performance of three imagery tasks with increasing complexity: imagery of a static dot, imagery of a moving dot with two and with four opposite directions. Participants received auditory feedback in the form of vocalizations with either negative, neutral or positive valence. The modulation thresholds were defined for each participant according to the maximum BOLD signal change of their target region during the localizer run.Results: We found that 4 out of 10 participants were able to modulate brain activity in this region-of-interest during neurofeedback training. This rate of success (40%) is consistent with the neurofeedback literature. Whole-brain analysis revealed the recruitment of specific cortical regions involved in cognitive control, reward monitoring, and feedback processing during neurofeedback training. Individually tailored feedback thresholds did not correlate with the success level. We found region-dependent neuromodulation profiles associated with task complexity and feedback valence.Discussion: Findings support the strategic role of task complexity and feedback valence on the modulation of the network nodes involved in monitoring and feedback control, key variables in neurofeedback frameworks optimization. Considering the elaborate design, the small sample size here tested (N = 10) impairs external validity in comparison to our previous studies. Future work will address this limitation. Ultimately, our results contribute to the discussion of individually tailored solutions, and justify further investigation concerning volitional control over brain activity.

Persistent Molecular Remission in Patients Treated with Imatinib-IFNa Combination or Imatinib Monotherapy.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 4784-4784
Author(s):  
Monica Schippa ◽  
Enrico Gottardi ◽  
Debora Luzi ◽  
Lorenzo Falchi ◽  
Rita Emili ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Molecular Response ◽  
Second Line ◽  
Molecular Remission ◽  
Second Line Therapy ◽  
Line Therapy ◽  
Line Of Therapy

Abstract INTRODUCTION. Continously improving results have been obtained during the last two decades in the control of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph’) positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, the final goal of molecular remission remains difficult to be obtained, even in the imatinib era. AIMS: Evaluation of the rate of long lasting molecular remission (undetectable p210 transcript at RQ-PCR confirmed by NESTED/RT-PCR in at least two subsequent tests performed over a period of 12 months or more) in response to imatinib or to imatinib-IFNa combination employed as first, second or subsequent line of therapy. PATIENTS. Imatinib alone or in combination with IFNa was given as first, second or subsequent line of therapy to a total of 47 patients. In particular, twenty-one patients were treated at the time of diagnosis with imatinib alone (18,G1) or imatinib-pegilated IFN combination (3,G2). Twenty-three additional patients (G3) received imatinib as second line therapy. Finally, 11 patients were treated with the imatinib-IFNa combination as second (5,G4) or third (6,G5) line therapy. In details, G4 consisted of three patients in cytogenetic relapse (3) or no response (2) after first line imatinib (1)or IFNa-ARA-C(1)therapy. All six patients included in G5 were complete kariotypic, but not molecular responder to imatinib given as second line treatment. METHODS. Molecular response was evaluated by NESTED/real-time-PCR (Guo JQ et al.; Leukemia : 2002; 15:2447–53) and real-time quantitative-PCR (Gabert J et al. Leukemia : 2003; 17: 2318–57) time intervals of 3–6 months from the beginning of therapy. RESULTS. A complete molecular remission lasting 12 months or more was obtained in 11 of 42 evaluable patients(therapy duration ≥ 18 mths).The response rate was higher in patients receiving the imatinib-IFNa combination(6/14) than in those given imatinib in monotherapy (5/36).In details, 4/14 and 1/3 patients respectively receiving early imatinib or imatinib-IFNa combination achieved a stable molecular remission. Two to four consecutive negative tests were documented in all five cases over a period ranging from 12 to 19 mths with 4 patients still in continous remission. Furthermore, 1/22 and 5/11 patients obtained a complete molecular response to imatinib given as second line therapy or imatinib-IFNa combination employed as second (4) or third (1) line therapy. Five negative tests were documented over a period of 12 mths in the patient responsive to imatinib monotherapy. Three to 7 negative consecutive tests were obtained during a period of 12 to 36 mths in the remaining five cases while receiving the imatinib-IFN-a combination. At the present time, 5 of these 6 patients are in continous molecular remission. In all molecularly responsive patients, stable molecular remission was usually preceded by a period of fluctuating negative-positive results of NESTED-PCR tests. CONCLUSIONS. It is not possible to achieve any firm conclusion regarding the effect of the imatinib-INFa combination on molecular response because of the small sample size of treated patients. However, our findings suggest an additive effect of imatinib and IFNa in Ph’ clone control as indicated by the improvement of the quality of remission in long lasting kariotypically, but not molecularly responsive patients when this combination therapy was utilized.

scholarly journals The role of superstition of cognitive control during neurofeedback training

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doris Groessinger ◽  
Florian Ph.S Fischmeister ◽  
Mathias Witte ◽  
Karl Koschutnig ◽  
Manuel Ninaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Associative Learning ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Ventral Striatum ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Neurofeedback Training ◽  
The Impact

Background: Real-time fMRI neurofeedback is growing in reputation as a means to alter brain activity patterns and alleviate psychiatric symptoms. Activity in ventral striatum structures is considered an index of training efficacy. fMRI response in these brain regions indicates neurofeedback-driven associative learning. Here we investigated the impact of mere superstition of control as observed during neurofeedback training on patterns of fMRI activation. Methods: We examined the brain activations of a large sample of young participants (n = 97, 50 female, age range 18-54yrs) in a simple fMRI task. Participants saw a display similar to that typically used for real-time fMRI. They were instructed to watch the bars' movements or to control them with their own brain activity. Bar movements were not connected with brain activity of participants in any way and perceptions of control were superstitious. After the pretended control condition, they rated how well they were able to control the bars' movements. Results: Strong activation in the basal ganglia and ventral striatum as well as in large portions of the anterior insula, supplementary motor area, and the middle frontal gyrus due to the superstition of brain control. Conclusions: The superstition of control over one's own brain activity in a pretended neurofeedback training session activates the same neural networks as neurofeedback-driven learning. Therefore, activity in the basal ganglia and ventral striatum cannot be taken as evidence for neurofeedback-driven associative learning unless its effects are proven to supersede those elicited by appropriate sham conditions.

Philadelphia Chromosome (Ph’) Secondary Clones in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Are Not Indicative of Resistance to IFNa- or Imatinib-Based Treatment Regimens.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 4806-4806
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Falchi ◽  
Paolo Prontera ◽  
Debora Luzi ◽  
Viola Festuccia ◽  
Rita Emili ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Clonal Evolution ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Molecular Response ◽  
Molecular Remission ◽  
Trisomy 8 ◽  
Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Treatment Regimens

Abstract The rate of complete karyotypic remission (CKR) and complete molecular remission (undetectable BCR/ABL specific transcript by real-time quantitative-PCR (Gabert J et al. Leukemia: 2003; 17: 2318–57) and NESTED/real-time-PCR (Guo JQ et al.; Leukemia: 2002; 15:2447–53)) to various therapies was analysed in 35, of the 114 CML patients observed in our institution, who showed cytogenetic clonal evolution. Overall, 52 karyotypic abnormalities additional to Ph’ were documented at the time of diagnosis (early clonal evolution) or late in the course of the disease (late clonal evolution). Seven of 12 patients with early clonal evolution achieved one (5 pts) or more (2 pts) CKRs, for a total number of 9, in response to IFNα (2 CKRs), IFNα plus ARA-C (1 CKR), imatinib (5 CKRs) or imatinib-IFNα combination (1 CKRs). Six of the 23 patients with late clonal evolution achieved one or more CKRs during the course of their disease after treatment with IFNα (2), IFNa plus ARA-C (1) or imatinib (5). In addition, 7 of the 13 CK responders reached a complete molecular remission in response to IFNa (1), IFNa plus ARA-C (1) imatinib (1), or imatinib plus IFNa (4). The 5 complete molecular remissions documented in patients with early clonal evolution, were observed following treatment with IFNα plus ARA-C (1), imatinib (1), or imatinib plus IFNα (3). Two patients with late clonal evolution obtained complete molecular remission in response to IFNα and imatinib plus IFN therapy, respectively. Cytogenetic and molecular response rates were higher in patients with early (58%, 57%) than in patients with late secondary clones (26%, 33%), while there were no significant differences in time to achieve cytogenetic (2–20 months vs 1–25 months) or molecular (3–26 months vs 13–52 months) remission and the duration of response (11 months, range 4–42 vs 10 months, range 7–46 and 2–19 vs 3–13+ months, respectively) between the two groups. Finally, no relationship was evident between the type of additional karyotypic anomalies and sensitivity to treatment. In fact, clones bearing complex translocations (2), isoPh’ (2), trisomy 8 (2), translocations other than Ph’ (2), partial chromosome monosomy (11-q, 1) or loss of chromosome Y alone (1) or associated with other anomalies (−6 and −14 or −21 or isoPh’) (3) all responded to therapy. In conclusion, although the small sample size, these findings suggest that the presence of karyotypic abnormalities additional to Ph’ in CML is not associated to disease resistance to therapy.

scholarly journals Neurofeedback-Based Enhancement of Single-Trial Auditory Evoked Potentials: Treatment of Auditory Verbal Hallucinations in Schizophrenia

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 367-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Rieger ◽  
Marie-Helene Rarra ◽  
Laura Diaz Hernandez ◽  
Daniela Hubl ◽  
Thomas Koenig
Keyword(s):  
Auditory System ◽  
Auditory Evoked Potentials ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Event Related Potential ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Neurofeedback Training ◽  
Auditory Verbal Hallucinations

Auditory verbal hallucinations depend on a broad neurobiological network ranging from the auditory system to language as well as memory-related processes. As part of this, the auditory N100 event-related potential (ERP) component is attenuated in patients with schizophrenia, with stronger attenuation occurring during auditory verbal hallucinations. Changes in the N100 component assumingly reflect disturbed responsiveness of the auditory system toward external stimuli in schizophrenia. With this premise, we investigated the therapeutic utility of neurofeedback training to modulate the auditory-evoked N100 component in patients with schizophrenia and associated auditory verbal hallucinations. Ten patients completed electroencephalography neurofeedback training for modulation of N100 (treatment condition) or another unrelated component, P200 (control condition). On a behavioral level, only the control group showed a tendency for symptom improvement in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score in a pre-/postcomparison ( t(4) = 2.71, P = .054); however, no significant differences were found in specific hallucination related symptoms ( t(7) = −0.53, P = .62). There was no significant overall effect of neurofeedback training on ERP components in our paradigm; however, we were able to identify different learning patterns, and found a correlation between learning and improvement in auditory verbal hallucination symptoms across training sessions ( r = 0.664, n = 9, P = .05). This effect results, with cautious interpretation due to the small sample size, primarily from the treatment group ( r = 0.97, n = 4, P = .03). In particular, a within-session learning parameter showed utility for predicting symptom improvement with neurofeedback training. In conclusion, patients with schizophrenia and associated auditory verbal hallucinations who exhibit a learning pattern more characterized by within-session aptitude may benefit from electroencephalography neurofeedback. Furthermore, independent of the training group, a significant spatial pre-post difference was found in the event-related component P200 ( P = .04).

scholarly journals Quality and denoising in real-time fMRI neurofeedback: a methods review

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Heunis ◽  
Rolf Lamerichs ◽  
Svitlana Zinger ◽  
Cesar Caballero-Gaudes ◽  
Jacobus FA Jansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Feedback Signal ◽  
Learning Effects ◽  
Neurofeedback Training ◽  
Invasive Treatment ◽  
Quality Reporting ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Methodological Studies

Neurofeedback training using real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI-NF) allows subjects voluntary control of localized and distributed brain activity. It has sparked increased interest as a promising non-invasive treatment option in neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive disorders, although its efficacy and clinical significance are yet to be determined. Maximization of neurofeedback learning effects in accordance with operant conditioning requires the feedback signal to be closely contingent on real brain activity, which necessitates the use of effective real-time fMRI denoising methods to prevent sham feedback. In this work, we present the first extensive review of acquisition, data processing and quality reporting methods available to improve the quality of the rtfMRI neurofeedback signal. Furthermore, we investigated the state of denoising and quality control practices in a set of 128 recently published rtfMRI-NF studies. We found: (i) that less than a third of the studies reported implementing standard real-time fMRI denoising steps; (ii) significant room for improvement with regards to methods reporting; and (iii) the need for methodological studies quantifying and comparing the contribution of denoising steps to the quality of the neurofeedback signal. Advances in the field of rtfMRI-NF research depend on reproducibility of methods and results. To this end, we recommend that future rtfMRI-NF studies: (i) report implementation of a set of standard real-time fMRI denoising steps according to a proposed COBIDAS-style checklist (https://osf.io/kjwhf/); (ii) ensure the quality of the neurofeedback signal by calculating and reporting community-informed quality metrics and applying offline control checks; and (iii) strive to adopt transparent principles in the form of methods and data sharing and the support of open-source rtfMRI-NF software.

scholarly journals Performance of an Ambulatory DRY-EEG Device for Auditory Closed-Loop Stimulations in the Home Environment

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Debellemaniere ◽  
S. Chambon ◽  
C. Pinaud ◽  
V. Thorey ◽  
D. Léger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Home Environment ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Adaptation Effect ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Delta Power ◽  
Aged Subjects ◽  
Electrophysiological Effects

ABSTRACTObjectiveRecent research has shown that auditory closed-loop stimulations can enhance sleep slow oscillations (SO) to improve N3 sleep quality and cognition. Previous studies have been conducted in a lab environment and on a small sample size. The present study aimed at validating and assessing the performance of a novel ambulatory wireless dry-EEG device (WDD), for auditory closed-loop stimulations of SO during N3 sleep at home.Material and MethodsThe performance of the WDD to detect N3 sleep automatically and to send auditory closed-loop stimulations on SO were tested on 20 young healthy subjects who slept with both the WDD and a miniaturized polysomnography (part 1) in both stimulated and sham nights within a double blind, randomized and crossover design.The electrophysiological effects of auditory closed-loop stimulation on delta power increase were assessed after 1 and 10 nights of stimulations on an observational pilot study in the home environment including 90 middle-aged subjects (part 2).ResultsThe sensitivity and specificity of the WDD to automatically detect N3 sleep in real-time were 0.70 and 0.90, respectively. The stimulation accuracy of the SO ascending-phase targeting was 45±52°. The stimulation protocol induced an increase of 39.5 % of delta power after the stimulations. The increase of SO response to auditory stimulations remained at the same level after 10 consecutive nights.ConclusionThe WDD shows good performances to automatically detect in real-time N3 sleep and to send auditory closed-loop stimulations on SO accurately. These stimulations increased the SO amplitude during N3 sleep without any adaptation effect after 10 consecutive nights. This tool provides new perspectives to figure out novel sleep EEG biomarkers in longitudinal studies and can be interesting to conduct broad studies on the effects of auditory stimulations during sleep.

scholarly journals Distributed Patterns of Brain Activity Underlying Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training

2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 1228-1237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rotem Kopel ◽  
Kirsten Emmert ◽  
Frank Scharnowski ◽  
Sven Haller ◽  
Dimitri Van De Ville
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Neurofeedback Training

scholarly journals Cognitive Effects of Montelukast: A Pharmaco-EEG Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 547
Author(s):  
Fabian Schwimmbeck ◽  
Wolfgang Staffen ◽  
Christopher Höhn ◽  
Fabio Rossini ◽  
Nora Renz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Term Treatment ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
Gamma Power ◽  
Cognitive Benefits

Montelukast is a well-established antiasthmatic drug with little side effects. It is a leukotriene receptor antagonist and recent research suggests cognitive benefits from its anti-inflammatory actions on the central nervous system. However, changes in brain activity were not directly shown so far in humans. This study aims to document changes in brain activity that are associated with cognitive improvement during treatment with Montelukast. We recorded EEG and conducted neuropsychological tests in 12 asthma-patients aged 38–73 years before and after 8 weeks of treatment with Montelukast. We found no significant changes on neuropsychological scales for memory, attention, and mood. In the EEG, we found decreased entropy at follow up during rest (p < 0.005). During episodic memory acquisition we found decreased entropy (p < 0.01) and acceleration of the background rhythm (p < 0.05). During visual attention performance, we detected an increase in gamma power (p < 0.005) and slowing of the background rhythm (p < 0.05). The study is limited by its small sample size, young age and absence of baseline cognitive impairment of the participants. Unspecific changes in brain activity were not accompanied by cognitive improvement. Future studies should examine elderly patients with cognitive impairment in a double-blind study with longer-term treatment by Montelukast.

Probing the ultrastructure of the mitotic and meiotic spindle in eggs: An expeditious approach based on semi-thin (0.25 μm) serial sections

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 552-555
Author(s):  
Conly L. Rieder ◽  
S. Bowser ◽  
R. Nowogrodzki ◽  
K. Ross ◽  
G. Sluder
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Serial Sections ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Cell Cycles ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies

Eggs have long been a favorite material for studying the mechanism of karyokinesis in-vivo and in-vitro. They can be obtained in great numbers and, when fertilized, divide synchronously over many cell cycles. However, they are not considered to be a practical system for ultrastructural studies on the mitotic apparatus (MA) for several reasons, the most obvious of which is that sectioning them is a formidable task: over 1000 ultra-thin sections need to be cut from a single 80-100 μm diameter egg and of these sections only a small percentage will contain the area or structure of interest. Thus it is difficult and time consuming to obtain reliable ultrastructural data concerning the MA of eggs; and when it is obtained it is necessarily based on a small sample size.We have recently developed a procedure which will facilitate many studies concerned with the ultrastructure of the MA in eggs. It is based on the availability of biological HVEM's and on the observation that 0.25 μm thick serial sections can be screened at high resolution for content (after mounting on slot grids and staining with uranyl and lead) by phase contrast light microscopy (LM; Figs 1-2).

Validating the Factor Structure of the Stigma of Suicide Scale–Short Form Spanish Version Among Healthcare Students

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ruthmarie Hernández-Torres ◽  
Paola Carminelli-Corretjer ◽  
Nelmit Tollinchi-Natali ◽  
Ernesto Rosario-Hernández ◽  
Yovanska Duarté-Vélez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Structure ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Spanish Version ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Students ◽  
Spanish Speaking

Abstract. Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among Spanish-speaking individuals. Suicide stigma can be a risk factor for suicide. A widely used measure is the Stigma of Suicide Scale-Short Form (SOSS-SF; Batterham, Calear, & Christensen, 2013 ). Although the SOSS-SF has established psychometric properties and factor structure in other languages and cultural contexts, no evidence is available from Spanish-speaking populations. Aim: This study aims to validate a Spanish translation of the SOSS-SF among a sample of Spanish-speaking healthcare students ( N = 277). Method: We implemented a cross-sectional design with quantitative techniques. Results: Following a structural equation modeling approach, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the three-factor model proposed by Batterham and colleagues (2013) . Limitations: The study was limited by the small sample size and recruitment by availability. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the Spanish version of the SOSS-SF is a valid and reliable tool with which to examine suicide stigma among Spanish-speaking populations.

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