PET Imaging of Dopamine Neurotransmission During EEG Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback (NFB) is a brain-based training method that enables users to control their own cortical oscillations using real-time feedback from the electroencephalogram (EEG). Importantly, no investigations to date have directly explored the potential impact of NFB on the brain’s key neuromodulatory systems. Our study’s objective was to assess the capacity of NFB to induce dopamine release as revealed by positron emission tomography (PET). Thirty-two healthy volunteers were randomized to either EEG-neurofeedback (NFB) or EEG-electromyography (EMG), and scanned while performing self-regulation during a single session of dynamic PET brain imaging using the high affinity D2/3 receptor radiotracer, [18F]Fallypride. NFB and EMG groups down-regulated cortical alpha power and facial muscle tone, respectively. Task-induced effects on endogenous dopamine release were estimated in the frontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and thalamus, using the linearized simplified reference region model (LSRRM), which accounts for time-dependent changes in radiotracer binding following task initiation. Contrary to our hypothesis of a differential effect for NFB vs. EMG training, significant dopamine release was observed in both training groups in the frontal and anterior cingulate cortex, but not in thalamus. Interestingly, a significant negative correlation was observed between dopamine release in frontal cortex and pre-to-post NFB change in spontaneous alpha power, suggesting that intra-individual changes in brain state (i.e., alpha power) could partly result from changes in neuromodulatory tone. Overall, our findings constitute the first direct investigation of neurofeedback’s effect on the endogenous release of a key neuromodulator, demonstrating its feasibility and paving the way for future studies using this methodology.

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Regionally specific alterations in functional connectivity of the anterior cingulate cortex in major depressive disorder

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291712000323 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 42 (10) ◽

pp. 2071-2081 ◽

Cited By ~ 89

Author(s):

C. G. Davey ◽

B. J. Harrison ◽

M. Yücel ◽

N. B. Allen

Keyword(s):

Major Depressive Disorder ◽

Functional Connectivity ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Frontal Cortex ◽

Caudate Nucleus ◽

Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽

Cingulate Cortex ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Major Depressive ◽

Close Link

BackgroundDepression has been associated with functional alterations in several areas of the cingulate cortex. In this study we have taken a systematic approach to examining how alterations in functional connectivity vary across the functionally diverse subregions of the rostral cingulate cortex.MethodEighteen patients with major depressive disorder, aged 15 to 24 years, were matched with 20 healthy control participants. Using resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI), we systematically investigated the functional connectivity of four subregions of the rostral cingulate cortex. Voxelwise statistical maps of each subregion's connectivity with other brain areas were compared between the patient and control groups.ResultsThe depressed participants showed altered patterns of connectivity with ventral cingulate subregions. They showed increased connectivity between subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsomedial frontal cortex, with connectivity strength showing positive correlation with illness severity. Depressed participants also showed increased connectivity between pregenual ACC and left dorsolateral frontal cortex, and decreased connectivity between pregenual ACC and the caudate nucleus bilaterally.ConclusionsThe results reinforce the importance of subgenual ACC for depression, and show a close link between brain regions that support self-related processes and affective visceromotor function. The pregenual ACC also has an important role, with its increased connectivity with dorsolateral frontal cortex suggesting heightened cognitive regulation of affect; and reduced connectivity with the caudate nucleus potentially underlying symptoms such as anhedonia, reduced motivation and psychomotor dysfunction.

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Anatomy of Motor Learning. I. Frontal Cortex and Attention to Action

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.1997.77.3.1313 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 77 (3) ◽

pp. 1313-1324 ◽

Cited By ~ 411

Author(s):

M. Jueptner ◽

K. M. Stephan ◽

C. D. Frith ◽

D. J. Brooks ◽

R.S.J. Frackowiak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Motor Learning ◽

Frontal Cortex ◽

Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽

Cingulate Cortex ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Critical Feature ◽

Positron Emission ◽

New Learning ◽

The Right

Jueptner, M., K. M. Stephan, C. D. Frith, D. J. Brooks, R.S.J. Frackowiak, and R. E. Passingham. Anatomy of motor learning. I. Frontal cortex and attention to action. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 1313–1324, 1997. We used positron emission tomography to study new learning and automatic performance in normal volunteers. Subjects learned sequences of eight finger movements by trial and error. In a previous experiment we showed that the prefrontal cortex was activated during new learning but not during automatic performance. The aim of the present experiment was to see what areas could be reactivated if the subjects performed the prelearned sequence but were required to pay attention to what they were doing. Scans were carried out under four conditions. In the first the subjects performed a prelearned sequence of eight key presses; this sequence was learned before scanning and was practiced until it had become overlearned, so that the subjects were able to perform it automatically. In the second condition the subjects learned a new sequence during scanning. In a third condition the subjects performed the prelearned sequence, but they were required to attend to what they were doing; they were instructed to think about the next movement. The fourth condition was a baseline condition. As in the earlier study, the dorsal prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate area 32 were activated during new learning, but not during automatic performance. The left dorsal prefrontal cortex and the right anterior cingulate cortex were reactivated when subjects paid attention to the performance of the prelearned sequence compared with automatic performance of the same task. It is suggested that the critical feature was that the subjects were required to attend to the preparation of their responses. However, the dorsal prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex were activated more when the subjects learned a new sequence than they were when subjects simply paid attention to a prelearned sequence. New learning differs from the attention condition in that the subjects generated moves, monitored the outcomes, and remembered the responses that had been successful. All these are nonroutine operations to which the subjects must attend. Further analysis is needed to specify which are the nonroutine operations that require the involvement of the dorsal prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex.

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Alpha power, alpha asymmetry and anterior cingulate cortex activity in depressed males and females

Journal of Psychiatric Research ◽

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.08.003 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 46 (11) ◽

pp. 1483-1491 ◽

Cited By ~ 79

Author(s):

Natalia Jaworska ◽

Pierre Blier ◽

Wendy Fusee ◽

Verner Knott

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽

Cingulate Cortex ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Alpha Power ◽

Alpha Asymmetry ◽

Males And Females ◽

Anterior Cingulate Cortex Activity

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Examining relations between alpha power as well as anterior cingulate cortex-localized theta activity and response to single or dual antidepressant pharmacotherapies

Journal of Psychopharmacology ◽

10.1177/0269881114523862 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 28 (6) ◽

pp. 587-595 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Natalia Jaworska ◽

Claude Blondeau ◽

Pierre Tessier ◽

Sandhaya Norris ◽

Wendy Fusee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽

Cingulate Cortex ◽

Theta Activity ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Alpha Power

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Retrosplenial Cortical Connectivity with Frontal Basal Ganglia Networks

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

10.1162/jocn_a_01699 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Megan E. Monko ◽

Sarah R. Heilbronner

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Basal Ganglia ◽

Frontal Cortex ◽

Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽

Cingulate Cortex ◽

Retrosplenial Cortex ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Functional Convergence ◽

Projection Zone ◽

Cortical Regions

Abstract Previous studies of the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) have focused on its role in navigation and memory, consistent with its well-established medial temporal connections, but recent evidence also suggests a role for this region in reward and decision making. Because function is determined largely by anatomical connections, and to better understand the anatomy of RSC, we used tract-tracing methods to examine the anatomical connectivity between the rat RSC and frontostriatal networks (canonical reward and decision-making circuits). We find that, among frontal cortical regions, RSC bidirectionally connects most strongly with the anterior cingulate cortex, but also with an area of the central–medial orbito-frontal cortex. RSC projects to the dorsomedial striatum, and its terminal fields are virtually encompassed by the frontal-striatal projection zone, suggestive of functional convergence through the basal ganglia. This overlap is driven by anterior cingulate cortex, prelimbic cortex, and orbito-frontal cortex, all of which contribute to goal-directed decision making, suggesting that the RSC is involved in similar processes.

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