title: Real-time fMRI brain-computer interface: development of a "motivational feedback" subsystem for the regulation of visual cue reactivity.
abstract: Here we present a novel neurofeedback subsystem for the presentation of motivationally relevant visual feedback during the self-regulation of functional brain activation. Our "motivational neurofeedback" approach uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals elicited by visual cues (pictures) and related to motivational processes such as craving or hunger. The visual feedback subsystem provides simultaneous feedback through these images as their size corresponds to the magnitude of fMRI signal change from a target brain area. During self-regulation of cue-evoked brain responses, decreases and increases in picture size thus provide real motivational consequences in terms of cue approach vs. cue avoidance, which increases face validity of the approach in applied settings. Further, the outlined approach comprises of neurofeedback (regulation) and "mirror" runs that allow to control for non-specific and task-unrelated effects, such as habituation or neural adaptation. The approach was implemented in the Python programming language. Pilot data from 10 volunteers showed that participants were able to successfully down-regulate individually defined target areas, demonstrating feasibility of the approach. The newly developed visual feedback subsystem can be integrated into protocols for imaging-based brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and may facilitate neurofeedback research and applications into healthy and dysfunctional motivational processes, such as food craving or addiction.
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff School of Medicine, Cardiff University Cardiff, UK ; Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Moses O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Sokunbi
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff School of Medicine, Cardiff University Cardiff, UK ; Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: David E J
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Linden
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff School of Medicine, Cardiff University Cardiff, UK ; Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Habes
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Swansea University Swansea, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff School of Medicine, Cardiff University Cardiff, UK ; Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Niklas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ihssen
keywords: brain-computer interface (BCI); food craving; functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); hunger; neurofeedback; self-regulation; visual cue reactivity