title: Higher-order Brain Areas Associated with Real-time Functional MRI Neurofeedback Training of the Somato-motor Cortex.
abstract: Neurofeedback (NFB) allows subjects to learn self-regulation of neuronal brain activation based on information about the ongoing activation. The implementation of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) for NFB training now facilitates the investigation into underlying processes. Our study involved 16 control and 16 training right-handed subjects, the latter performing an extensive rt-fMRI NFB training using motor imagery. A previous analysis focused on the targeted primary somato-motor cortex (SMC). The present study extends the analysis to the supplementary motor area (SMA), the next higher brain area within the hierarchy of the motor system. We also examined transfer-related functional connectivity using a whole-volume psycho-physiological interaction (PPI) analysis to reveal brain areas associated with learning. The ROI analysis of the pre- and post-training fMRI data for motor imagery without NFB (transfer) resulted in a significant training-specific increase in the SMA. It could also be shown that the contralateral SMA exhibited a larger increase than the ipsilateral SMA in the training and the transfer runs, and that the right-hand training elicited a larger increase in the transfer runs than the left-hand training. The PPI analysis revealed a training-specific increase in transfer-related functional connectivity between the left SMA and frontal areas as well as the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) for right- and left-hand trainings. Moreover, the transfer success was related with training-specific increase in functional connectivity between the left SMA and the target area SMC. Our study demonstrates that NFB training increases functional connectivity with non-targeted brain areas. These are associated with the training strategy (i.e., SMA) as well as with learning the NFB skill (i.e., aMCC and frontal areas). This detailed description of both the system to be trained and the areas involved in learning can provide valuable information for further optimization of NFB trainings.
authors.affiliation: Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany; MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Electronic address: tibor.auer@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Tibor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Auer
authors.affiliation: Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Neuroscience, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia; Pusat PERMATApintar Negara, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wan Ilma
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Dewiputri
authors.affiliation: Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frahm
authors.affiliation: Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schweizer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination / Q000502:physiology; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D058765:Neurofeedback / Q000502:physiology*; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Functional magnetic resonance imaging; functional connectivity; motor imagery; neurofeedback; skill-learning