Real-Time fMRI in Neuroscience Research and Its Use in Studying the Aging Brain.
Cognitive decline is a major concern in the aging population. It is normative to experience some deterioration in cognitive abilities with advanced age such as related to memory performance, attention distraction to interference, task switching, and processing speed. However, intact cognitive functioning in old age is important for leading an independent day-to-day life. Thus, studying ways to counteract or delay the onset of cognitive decline in aging is crucial. The literature offers various explanations for the decline in cognitive performance in aging; among those are age-related gray and white matter atrophy, synaptic degeneration, blood flow reduction, neurochemical alterations, and change in connectivity patterns with advanced age. An emerging literature on neurofeedback and Brain Computer Interface (BCI) reports exciting results supporting the benefits of volitional modulation of brain activity on cognition and behavior. Neurofeedback studies based on real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI) have shown behavioral changes in schizophrenia and behavioral benefits in nicotine addiction. This article integrates research on cognitive and brain aging with evidence of brain and behavioral modification due to rtfMRI neurofeedback. We offer a state-of-the-art description of the rtfMRI technique with an eye towards its application in aging. We present preliminary results of a feasibility study exploring the possibility of using rtfMRI to train older adults to volitionally control brain activity. Based on these first findings, we discuss possible implementations of rtfMRI neurofeedback as a novel technique to study and alleviate cognitive decline in healthy and pathological aging.
Department of Psychiatry and Division of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago, Chile; Laboratory for Brain-Machine Interfaces and Neuromodulation, Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago, Chile.
Mohit
M
Rana
Department of Psychology, University of Florida Gainesville, FL, USA.
Andrew Q
AQ
Varan
J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida Gainesville, FL, USA.
Anis
A
Davoudi
Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Institute on Aging, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA; Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, College of Medicine, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA.
Ronald A
RA
Cohen
Department of Psychiatry and Division of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago, Chile; Laboratory for Brain-Machine Interfaces and Neuromodulation, Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago, Chile; Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Biology and Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago, Chile.
Ranganatha
R
Sitaram
Department of Psychology, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA; Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Institute on Aging, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA; Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, College of Medicine, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA.
Natalie C
NC
Ebner
aging; cognition; emotion; neurofeedback; real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging