Self-regulation of the anterior insula: Reinforcement learning using real-time fMRI neurofeedback.
The anterior insula (AI) plays a key role in affective processing, and insular dysfunction has been noted in several clinical conditions. Real-time functional MRI neurofeedback (rtfMRI-NF) provides a means of helping people learn to self-regulate activation in this brain region. Using the Blood Oxygenated Level Dependant (BOLD) signal from the right AI (RAI) as neurofeedback, we trained participants to increase RAI activation. In contrast, another group of participants was shown 'control' feedback from another brain area. Pre- and post-training affective probes were shown, with subjective ratings and skin conductance response (SCR) measured. We also investigated a reward-related reinforcement learning model of rtfMRI-NF. In contrast to the controls, we hypothesised a positive linear increase in RAI activation in participants shown feedback from this region, alongside increases in valence ratings and SCR to affective probes. Hypothesis-driven analyses showed a significant interaction between the RAI/control neurofeedback groups and the effect of self-regulation. Whole-brain analyses revealed a significant linear increase in RAI activation across four training runs in the group who received feedback from RAI. Increased activation was also observed in the caudate body and thalamus, likely representing feedback-related learning. No positive linear trend was observed in the RAI in the group receiving control feedback, suggesting that these data are not a general effect of cognitive strategy or control feedback. The control group did, however, show diffuse activation across the putamen, caudate and posterior insula which may indicate the representation of false feedback. No significant training-related behavioural differences were observed for valence ratings, or SCR. In addition, correlational analyses based on a reinforcement learning model showed that the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex underpinned learning in both groups. In summary, these data demonstrate that it is possible to regulate the RAI using rtfMRI-NF within one scanning session, and that such reward-related learning is mediated by the dorsal anterior cingulate.
Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK; Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK. Electronic address: emma.lawrence@kcl.ac.uk.
Emma J
EJ
Lawrence
Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK; Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Li
L
Su
Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK.
Gareth J
GJ
Barker
Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK.
Nick
N
Medford
Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK.
Jeffrey
J
Dalton
Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK.
Steve C R
SC
Williams
Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, Eberhard-Karls-University, Tübingen, Germany.
Niels
N
Birbaumer
Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, Eberhard-Karls-University, Tübingen, Germany.
Ralf
R
Veit
Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, Eberhard-Karls-University, Tübingen, Germany.
Sitaram
S
Ranganatha
Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, USA; College of Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, USA.
Jerzy
J
Bodurka
Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK.
Michael
M
Brammer
Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK.
Vincent
V
Giampietro
Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK.
Anthony S
AS
David
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D058765:Neurofeedback / Q000502:physiology*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012201:Reward; D000068356:Self-Control; D055815:Young Adult
Emotion; Insula; Neurofeedback; Real-time fMRI; Reinforcement learning; Self-regulation