Network-based Real-time Neurofeedback Using Ultra-high Field MRI to Reduce Rumination Levels in Depression
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Summary
Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibit increased levels of rumination (i.e. repetitive thinking and focus on negative mood states) which have been found to increase the risk of depressive relapse. The ability to reduce rumination levels among these patients is greatly needed. Rumination is known to be associated with the default mode network (DMN) region activity. Implementing the Dependency Network Analysis (DEPNA), a recently developed method by the research team to quantify the connectivity influence of network nodes, found that rumination was significantly associated with lower connectivity influence of the left medial orbitofrontal cortex (MOFC) on the right precuneus, both key regions within the DMN. This study implements the first real-time fMRI neurofeedback (Rt-fMRI-NF) network-based protocol for up-regulation of the MOFC influence on the precuneus in patients with MDD to reduce rumination levels. This will allow for more accurate explicit brain connections modulation than the standard single brain region activity; creating a larger opportunity for target clinical neuromodulation treatment in individuals with MDD.
Description
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the world's largest health problem, and current available treatments fail at relieving symptoms for many patients. Rumination, which is conceptualized as repetitive thinking and focus on one's distress and negative mood states is a core feature of MDD. Patients with MDD exhibit increased levels of rumination which have been found to increase the risk of depressive relapse in remitted patients. The ability to reduce rumination levels among these patients is greatly needed. Neurofeedback (NF) is a technique that feeds back information about brain signals to th…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female aged 18-65 years who either meet DSM-5 Axis Disorders (SCID) or the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for major depressive disorder (MDD) with a current major depressive episode OR does not meet for any current or past psychiatric diagnoses * Participants must have a level of understanding of the English language sufficient to agree to all tests and examinations required by the study and must be able to participate fully in the informed consent process Exclusion Criteria: * Any current or history of schizophrenia or other psychotic dis…
Interventions
- DeviceSiemens 7T MRI
The active neurofeedback session will be done within the 7T MRI.
- DeviceSham Neurofeedback
The sham Neurofeedback resembles the active condition but participants will not see their own brain activity and will instead view a past participant's active feedback from their same population group.
Location
- Icahn School Of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew York, New York