Real-time fMRI brain computer interfaces: self-regulation of single brain regions to networks

Biol Psychol. 2014 Jan:95:4-20. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2013.04.010. Epub 2013 May 1.

Authors

Sergio Ruiz¹, Korhan Buyukturkoglu², Mohit Rana³, Niels Birbaumer⁴, Ranganatha Sitaram⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Silcherstrasse 5, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany; Departamento de Psiquiatría, Escuela de Medicina, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins N°340, 32349 Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: smruiz@med.puc.cl.
² Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Silcherstrasse 5, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany; Graduate School of Neural & Behavioural Sciences, International Max Planck Research School, Österbergstrasse 3, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: buyukturkoglu@gmail.com.
³ Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Silcherstrasse 5, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany; Graduate School of Neural & Behavioural Sciences, International Max Planck Research School, Österbergstrasse 3, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: makrana85@gmail.com.
⁴ Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Silcherstrasse 5, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany; Ospedale San Camillo, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 30126 Venezia, Italy. Electronic address: niels.birbaumer@uni-tuebingen.de.
⁵ Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Silcherstrasse 5, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, P.O. Box 116131, Gainesville, FL 32611-6131, USA; Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695 011, Kerala, India. Electronic address: sitaram.ranganatha@uni-tuebingen.de.

PMID: 23643926
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2013.04.010

Abstract

With the advent of brain computer interfaces based on real-time fMRI (rtfMRI-BCI), the possibility of performing neurofeedback based on brain hemodynamics has become a reality. In the early stage of the development of this field, studies have focused on the volitional control of activity in circumscribed brain regions. However, based on the understanding that the brain functions by coordinated activity of spatially distributed regions, there have recently been further developments to incorporate real-time feedback of functional connectivity and spatio-temporal patterns of brain activity. The present article reviews the principles of rtfMRI neurofeedback, its applications, benefits and limitations. A special emphasis is given to the discussion of novel developments that have enabled the use of this methodology to achieve self-regulation of the functional connectivity between different brain areas and of distributed brain networks, anticipating new and exciting applications for cognitive neuroscience and for the potential alleviation of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Keywords: Brain computer interfaces; Brain connectivity; Neurofeedback; Real-time fMRI.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Brain / physiology*
Brain Mapping
Brain-Computer Interfaces*
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
Nerve Net / physiology*
Neurofeedback*
Neurons / physiology*
Social Control, Informal