Training to Control Medial Prefrontal Cortex Activity Using Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback to Reduce Negative Anticipation

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a real-time fMRI neurofeedback training to help healthy adults control activity in the medial prefrontal cortex mPFC using imagined social support. The study aims to see if this brain activity modulation can improve feelings related to anticipating negative events and increase a sense of control over future situations. This trial uses a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized design with 60 participants. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups an experimental group receiving real feedback from the mPFC and a sham control group receiving feedback from an unrelated brain region primary motor cortex. The training involves one baseline session without feedback, four sessions with intermittent feedback, and one transfer session without feedback. Each session consists of multiple blocks where participants regulate brain activity followed by periods showing feedback on brain activation. During the study, participants will undergo brain scans measuring blood oxygen level-dependent signals to track mPFC activity. Researchers will assess changes in brain activity and related anxiety levels after training. The entire process includes multiple sessions over time, with safety and adherence monitored throughout. The study is open to healthy adults aged 18 to 35 and includes careful screening to exclude neurological or psychiatric conditions.

Real-time Neurofeedback Training of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Based on Imagined Social Support