Neural Correlates of Neurofeedback Training

Frank Scharnowski

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Nicotine Dependence; PTSD; Depression

Treatments: Other: Neurofeedback training; Other: Sham Feedback

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03165578

PsychiatricUHZ

Details and patient eligibility

About

The objective of the present study is to identify brain networks in patients that contribute to successfully learning self-regulation with real-time fMRI.

Full description

Neurofeedback has been established as a promising non-pharmacological therapeutic approach. However, patients differ in their ability to learn control over their own brain activity with neurofeedback. It is thus crucial to understand the brain networks that mediate learned self-regulation with real-time fMRI. The objective of the present study is thus to identify brain networks in patients that contribute to successfully learning self-regulation with real-time fMRI. To achieve this goal, patients suffering from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and nicotine addiction will be trained to improve their self-regulation skills using established real-time fMRI neurofeedback protocols.

Enrollment: 210 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Magnetic resonance imaging compatibility.
• DSM-V diagnosis of major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or nicotine addiction, respectively.

Exclusion criteria

• Other physical or psychiatric disorders.
• Current substance abuse.
• Exclusion criteria applicable to MRI (metallic implants, claustrophobia, epilepsy).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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210 participants in 2 patient groups

Neurofeedback

Experimental group

Description:

Neurofeedback training.

Treatment:

Other: Neurofeedback training

Sham Feedback

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Sham controlled neurofeedback training. Subjects in the sham control group will undergo the same procedure as subjects in the experimental group, but instead of being shown feedback derived from their own brain activity, they will be shown replayed feedback values from a randomly chosen subject of the experimental group.

Treatment:

Other: Sham Feedback