Connectivity changes underlying neurofeedback training of visual cortex activity.

Neurofeedback based on real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a new approach that allows training of voluntary control over regionally specific brain activity. However, the neural basis of successful neurofeedback learning remains poorly understood. Here, we assessed changes in ef...

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Main Authors: Frank Scharnowski, Maria Joao Rosa, Narly Golestani, Chloe Hutton, Oliver Josephs, Nikolaus Weiskopf, Geraint Rees
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2014-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0091090
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author Frank Scharnowski
Maria Joao Rosa
Narly Golestani
Chloe Hutton
Oliver Josephs
Nikolaus Weiskopf
Geraint Rees
author_facet Frank Scharnowski
Maria Joao Rosa
Narly Golestani
Chloe Hutton
Oliver Josephs
Nikolaus Weiskopf
Geraint Rees
author_sort Frank Scharnowski
collection DOAJ
description Neurofeedback based on real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a new approach that allows training of voluntary control over regionally specific brain activity. However, the neural basis of successful neurofeedback learning remains poorly understood. Here, we assessed changes in effective brain connectivity associated with neurofeedback training of visual cortex activity. Using dynamic causal modeling (DCM), we found that training participants to increase visual cortex activity was associated with increased effective connectivity between the visual cortex and the superior parietal lobe. Specifically, participants who learned to control activity in their visual cortex showed increased top-down control of the superior parietal lobe over the visual cortex, and at the same time reduced bottom-up processing. These results are consistent with efficient employment of top-down visual attention and imagery, which were the cognitive strategies used by participants to increase their visual cortex activity.
format Article
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institution OA Journals
issn 1932-6203
language English
publishDate 2014-01-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS ONE
spelling doaj-art-5a5a27b4e2af49ddbcda020f7d61c3502025-08-20T02:34:07ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032014-01-0193e9109010.1371/journal.pone.0091090Connectivity changes underlying neurofeedback training of visual cortex activity.Frank ScharnowskiMaria Joao RosaNarly GolestaniChloe HuttonOliver JosephsNikolaus WeiskopfGeraint ReesNeurofeedback based on real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a new approach that allows training of voluntary control over regionally specific brain activity. However, the neural basis of successful neurofeedback learning remains poorly understood. Here, we assessed changes in effective brain connectivity associated with neurofeedback training of visual cortex activity. Using dynamic causal modeling (DCM), we found that training participants to increase visual cortex activity was associated with increased effective connectivity between the visual cortex and the superior parietal lobe. Specifically, participants who learned to control activity in their visual cortex showed increased top-down control of the superior parietal lobe over the visual cortex, and at the same time reduced bottom-up processing. These results are consistent with efficient employment of top-down visual attention and imagery, which were the cognitive strategies used by participants to increase their visual cortex activity.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0091090
spellingShingle Frank Scharnowski
Maria Joao Rosa
Narly Golestani
Chloe Hutton
Oliver Josephs
Nikolaus Weiskopf
Geraint Rees
Connectivity changes underlying neurofeedback training of visual cortex activity.
PLoS ONE
title Connectivity changes underlying neurofeedback training of visual cortex activity.
title_full Connectivity changes underlying neurofeedback training of visual cortex activity.
title_fullStr Connectivity changes underlying neurofeedback training of visual cortex activity.
title_full_unstemmed Connectivity changes underlying neurofeedback training of visual cortex activity.
title_short Connectivity changes underlying neurofeedback training of visual cortex activity.
title_sort connectivity changes underlying neurofeedback training of visual cortex activity
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0091090
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