title: Enhancing Motor Network Activity Using Real-Time Functional MRI Neurofeedback of Left Premotor Cortex.
abstract: Neurofeedback by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a technique of potential therapeutic relevance that allows individuals to be aware of their own neurophysiological responses and to voluntarily modulate the activity of specific brain regions, such as the premotor cortex (PMC), important for motor recovery after brain injury. We investigated (i) whether healthy human volunteers are able to up-regulate the activity of the left PMC during a right hand finger tapping motor imagery (MI) task while receiving continuous fMRI-neurofeedback, and (ii) whether successful modulation of brain activity influenced non-targeted motor control regions. During the MI task, participants of the neurofeedback group (NFB) received ongoing visual feedback representing the level of fMRI responses within their left PMC. Control (CTL) group participants were shown similar visual stimuli, but these were non-contingent on brain activity. Both groups showed equivalent levels of behavioral ratings on arousal and MI, before and during the fMRI protocol. In the NFB, but not in CLT group, brain activation during the last run compared to the first run revealed increased activation in the left PMC. In addition, the NFB group showed increased activation in motor control regions extending beyond the left PMC target area, including the supplementary motor area, basal ganglia and cerebellum. Moreover, in the last run, the NFB group showed stronger activation in the left PMC/inferior frontal gyrus when compared to the CTL group. Our results indicate that modulation of PMC and associated motor control areas can be achieved during a single neurofeedback-fMRI session. These results contribute to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of MI-based neurofeedback training, with direct implications for rehabilitation strategies in severe brain disorders, such as stroke.
authors.affiliation: D'Or Institute for Research and EducationRio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Theo F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Marins
authors.affiliation: D'Or Institute for Research and EducationRio de Janeiro, Brazil; Augusto Motta University (Unisuam)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Erika C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: D'Or Institute for Research and EducationRio de Janeiro, Brazil; Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital LeipzigLeipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Annerose
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.affiliation: D'Or Institute for Research and Education Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoefle
authors.affiliation: D'Or Institute for Research and Education Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Basílio
authors.affiliation: D'Or Institute for Research and EducationRio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Institute for Translational Neuroscience (INNT)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lent
authors.affiliation: D'Or Institute for Research and EducationRio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Institute for Translational Neuroscience (INNT)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moll
authors.affiliation: D'Or Institute for Research and EducationRio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tovar-Moll
keywords: left premotor cortex; motor imagery; motor rehabilitation; neurofeedback; neuromodulation