Emotion Study -- A Neurofeedback Approach



Status:Completed
Conditions:Healthy Studies
Therapuetic Areas:Other
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - 90
Updated:2/14/2019
Start Date:October 2014
End Date:December 15, 2017

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Emotion Study -- Improving Neural Dysregulation in Advanced Age: A Neurofeedback Approach

This study will determine whether brain activity can be modified and improves performance on
a task by showing participants live 'video feed' of their brains on advanced imaging
technology. The study is particularly interested in brain regions that have been shown to be
relevant for emotions, specifically the anterior insula and the medial prefrontal cortex.
Advanced technology will map the brain using magnetic pulses with a real-time functional
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rt-fMRI) machine.

Overview: All participants of both age groups will be randomly divided (like tossing a coin)
into two groups:

- One group will have training sessions using a special feedback technique to learn to
actively increase blood flow in the front of the brain, while thinking of and viewing
emotional faces, scenes, and text

- The other group will have training sessions using a special feedback technique to learn
to actively increase blood flow in the back of the brain while thinking of and viewing
emotional faces, scenes, and text

Further, each of these two groups will be divided into two sub-groups that are different with
respect to the training procedure that is used:

* Use of a 3.0 Tesla, 32-channel Seimens whole-body human MR scanner (fMRI) during training,
that has not been associated with any known side effects or safety risks

Number of Study Visits:

This study has the following parts: A pre-training visit, six training visits, and a
post-training visit.

With a few exceptions as explained below, the procedures during pre-training, training, and
post-training visits are identical.

- At the beginning of the first visit, the investigator will tell the participant about
the study and what is involved and will ask them to sign a consent form. The participant
may ask as many questions as they would like before deciding about study participation.

- For each of the visits, the investigator will review questions with the participant
about their health to ensure their eligibility to undergo fMRI on the day of testing.

- Also for each visit, the investigator will ask the participant to respond to a short
questionnaire related to their current mood.

- In the pre-training and the post-training visits only, the investigator will ask the
participant to answer questions about their feelings, emotions, and thoughts.

- For each of the participant's visits, they will spend 50-60 minutes either in the MRI
scanner, while viewing pictures and text on a screen. During this time, pictures of the
participant's brain at work and at rest will be acquired. In the training visits only,
the participant will learn to increase blood flow in certain brain regions with the help
of information presented to them on the screen.

- For each of the participant's visits, they will be asked to respond to a short
questionnaire related to their current mood.

- In the pre-training/post-training visits only, the investigator will ask the participant
to answer questions about their feelings, emotions, and thoughts as well as their
personality. The participant will also perform brief tests related to the thinking
process.

- At the end of each visit, the participant will complete a questionnaire about how they
approached the study tasks and whether they experienced any discomfort in the MRI
scanner or while wearing the fNIRS system.

- Upon study completion, the investigator will tell the participant about the general
goals of the study and answer any questions that they may have.

The procedure can be stopped at any time.

The study will conclude with debriefing and reimbursement.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Between the ages of 18-30 years or 63-90 years

- Right-handed

- Native English speaker

Exclusion Criteria:

- Pregnant or possibly pregnant

- Claustrophobia

- Large pieces of metal in the body, particularly in the face and neck.

- Piercings or metal implants that cannot be removed from the body

- Surgery on the brain or any prior serious brain damage or disease

- Dementia or severe cognitive disorders
We found this trial at
1
site
Gainesville, Florida 32610
(352) 392-3261
Principal Investigator: Natalie Ebner, PhD
Phone: 352-273-2141
University of Florida The University of Florida (UF) is a major, public, comprehensive, land-grant, research...
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Gainesville, FL
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