title: Real-time fMRI pattern decoding and neurofeedback using FRIEND: an FSL-integrated BCI toolbox.
abstract: The demonstration that humans can learn to modulate their own brain activity based on feedback of neurophysiological signals opened up exciting opportunities for fundamental and applied neuroscience. Although EEG-based neurofeedback has been long employed both in experimental and clinical investigation, functional MRI (fMRI)-based neurofeedback emerged as a promising method, given its superior spatial resolution and ability to gauge deep cortical and subcortical brain regions. In combination with improved computational approaches, such as pattern recognition analysis (e.g., Support Vector Machines, SVM), fMRI neurofeedback and brain decoding represent key innovations in the field of neuromodulation and functional plasticity. Expansion in this field and its applications critically depend on the existence of freely available, integrated and user-friendly tools for the neuroimaging research community. Here, we introduce FRIEND, a graphic-oriented user-friendly interface package for fMRI neurofeedback and real-time multivoxel pattern decoding. The package integrates routines for image preprocessing in real-time, ROI-based feedback (single-ROI BOLD level and functional connectivity) and brain decoding-based feedback using SVM. FRIEND delivers an intuitive graphic interface with flexible processing pipelines involving optimized procedures embedding widely validated packages, such as FSL and libSVM. In addition, a user-defined visual neurofeedback module allows users to easily design and run fMRI neurofeedback experiments using ROI-based or multivariate classification approaches. FRIEND is open-source and free for non-commercial use. Processing tutorials and extensive documentation are available.
authors: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Unit and Neuroinformatics Workgroup, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ; Center of Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil.
authors: João R
authors: JR
authors: Sato
authors: Rodrigo
authors: R
authors: Basilio
authors: Fernando F
authors: FF
authors: Paiva
authors: Griselda J
authors: GJ
authors: Garrido
authors: Ivanei E
authors: IE
authors: Bramati
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Bado
authors: Fernanda
authors: F
authors: Tovar-Moll
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Zahn
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Moll
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D062207:Brain-Computer Interfaces; D003196:Computer Graphics; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D058765:Neurofeedback / Q000379:methods*; D060388:Support Vector Machine; D013997:Time Factors; D014584:User-Computer Interface