Use of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging-based neurofeedback to downregulate insular cortex in nicotine-addicted smokers

Mohit Rana*, Sergio Ruiz*, Andrea Sánchez Corzo, Axel Muehleck, Sandra Eck, César Salinas, Francisco Zamorano, Claudio Silva, Massimiliano Rea, Anil Batra, Niels Birbaumer, Ranganatha Sitaram*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

It has been more than a decade since the first functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-based neurofeedback approach was successfully implemented. Since then, various studies have demonstrated that participants can learn to voluntarily control a circumscribed brain region. Consequently, real-time fMRI (rtfMRI) provided a novel opportunity to study modifications of behavior due to manipulation of brain activity. Hence, reports of rtfMRI applications to train self-regulation of brain activity and the concomitant modifications in behavioral and clinical conditions such as neurological and psychiatric disorders [e.g., schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive Disorder (OCD), stroke] have rapidly increased. Neuroimaging studies in addiction research have shown that the anterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and insular cortex are activated during the presentation of drug-associated cues. Also, activity in both left and right insular cortices have been shown to be highly correlated with drug urges when participants are exposed to craving-eliciting cues. Hence, the bilateral insula is of particular importance in researching drug urges and addiction due to its role in the representation of bodily (interoceptive) states. This study explores the use of rtfMRI neurofeedback for the reduction in blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) activity in bilateral insular cortices of nicotine-addicted participants. The study also tests if there are neurofeedback training-associated modifications in the implicit attitudes of participants towards nicotine-craving cues and explicit-craving behavior.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere59441
JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments
Volume2020
Issue number160
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2020 JoVE Journal of Visualized Experiments.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Use of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging-based neurofeedback to downregulate insular cortex in nicotine-addicted smokers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this