Reducing Spontaneous Recovery Using Functional Connectivity Based Real-time Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Neurofeedback Targeting the Memory Control Network
Trustees of Princeton University
Summary
This study tests the efficacy of a new behavioral intervention with the goal of reducing spontaneous recovery of threat expectancy in healthy adults. This real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neurofeedback intervention delivers feedback based on a functional connection between the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus.
Description
Exposure therapy remains the most effective evidence-based treatment for a variety of anxiety related disorders; however, fear often returns over time. Pavlovian conditioning and extinction serve as a laboratory model for threat learning and exposure therapy, respectively. Studies utilizing these tasks can help uncover why exposure therapy fails to prevent the return of fear in some individuals. Pilot data suggest that there are specific behavioral phenotypes that individuals exhibit during a test of spontaneous recovery following Pavlovian acquisition and extinction. Specifically, some partic…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18-50 * No history of psychiatric disorders or neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system. * Are not currently taking psychoactive medication or drugs of abuse. * Must be eligible to enter an MRI (i.e., no permanent metal or medical implants) * Normal color vision * Right-handed * Full reading and writing English comprehension * Must exhibit spontaneous recovery behavior as determined by an experimenter in a prescreening experimental session * Must be able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy (female participants) * O…
Interventions
- BehavioralActive Real-time fMRI Neurofeedback
Active neurofeedback to target a functional connection associated with increased memory control ability
- BehavioralSham Real-time fMRI neurofeedback
Sham neurofeedback
Location
- Princeton Neuroscience InstitutePrinceton, New Jersey