title: The covariation of independent and dependant variables in neurofeedback: a proposal framework to identify cognitive processes and brain activity variables.
abstract: This methodological article proposes a framework for analysing the relationship between cognitive processes and brain activity using variables measured by neurofeedback (NF) carried out by functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery (fMRI NF). Cognitive processes and brain activity variables can be analysed as either the dependant variable or the independent variable. Firstly, we propose two traditional approaches, defined in the article as the "neuropsychological" approach (NP) and the "psychophysiology" approach (PP), to extract dependent and independent variables in NF protocols. Secondly, we suggest that NF can be inspired by the style of inquiry used in neurophenomenology. fMRI NF allows participants to experiment with his or her own cognitive processes and their effects on brain region of interest (ROI) activations simultaneously. Thus, we suggest that fMRI NF could be improved by implementing "the elicitation interview method", which allows the investigator to gather relevant verbatim from participants' introspection on subjective experiences.
authors.affiliation: Solaris, Pôle de Psychiatrie Universitaire, CHU Sainte-Marguerite, 270 Bd Sainte-Marguerite, 13009 Marseille, France; Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives (LNC), UMR CNRS 7291, 31 Aix-Marseille Université, Site St Charles, 3 place Victor Hugo, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, France; Unité de Neurophysiologie et Psychophysiologie, Fondation FondaMental, Pôle de Psychiatrie Universitaire, CHU Sainte-Marguerite, 270 Bd Sainte-Marguerite, 13009 Marseille, France. Electronic address: jarthur.micoulaud@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jean-Arthur
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Micoulaud-Franchi
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Charles Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie Adulte, 121 Rue de la Béchade, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France; Université Bordeaux Segalen, 146 rue Léo-Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Clélia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Quiles
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Est-Créteil, Pôle de psychiatrie du Groupe des hôpitaux universitaires de Mondor, INSERM U955, Eq Psychiatrie Génétique, Fondation FondaMental Fondation de coopération scientifique en santé mentale, France.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fond
authors.affiliation: Solaris, Pôle de Psychiatrie Universitaire, CHU Sainte-Marguerite, 270 Bd Sainte-Marguerite, 13009 Marseille, France; Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives (LNC), UMR CNRS 7291, 31 Aix-Marseille Université, Site St Charles, 3 place Victor Hugo, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, France; Unité de Neurophysiologie et Psychophysiologie, Fondation FondaMental, Pôle de Psychiatrie Universitaire, CHU Sainte-Marguerite, 270 Bd Sainte-Marguerite, 13009 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cermolacce
authors.affiliation: Solaris, Pôle de Psychiatrie Universitaire, CHU Sainte-Marguerite, 270 Bd Sainte-Marguerite, 13009 Marseille, France; Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives (LNC), UMR CNRS 7291, 31 Aix-Marseille Université, Site St Charles, 3 place Victor Hugo, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, France; Unité de Neurophysiologie et Psychophysiologie, Fondation FondaMental, Pôle de Psychiatrie Universitaire, CHU Sainte-Marguerite, 270 Bd Sainte-Marguerite, 13009 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vion-Dury
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D059907:Functional Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D058765:Neurofeedback / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Brain; Dependent variable; Independent variable; Mind; Neurofeedback; Neurophenomenology; Neuropsychology; Psychophysiology