Investigating Electroencephalographic Predictors of Default Mode Network Anticorrelation for Personalized Neurofeedback
Phase: NA
Conditions: Healthy
Sponsor: Drexel University

Date: November 12, 2025 
 
Official Title of study: Investigating Electroencephalographic Predictors of Default 
Mode Network Anticorrelation for Personalized Neurofeedback 
 
NCT number: NCT05592600 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Study Protocol 
 
Participants attended two sessions at the Temple University Brain Research & Imaging 
Center with time between the two scanning sessions ranging from 3 to 62 days (mean = 
12.61 days, median = 7 days). The study protocol was approved by the Drexel University 
Institutional Review Board. Prior to the main experiment, written informed consent was 
obtained from each participant alongside demographic information. Participants then 
filled out a series of questionnaires pertaining to different mental health conditions, 
including a crosscutting assessment: DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom 
Measure-Adult (DSM XC), a measure of impairment: WHO Disability Assessment 
Schedule-12 (WHODAS-12), a measure of anxiety: General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), 
measures of depression: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Ruminative Response 
Scale (RRS), and a measure of trait mind-wandering: Mind-Wandering Deliberate-
Spontaneous scale (MWD-S). Participants were trained on all experimental tasks and 
informed of the full EEG-fMRI study procedure. Additionally, head circumference was 
measured from glabella to inion to determine EEG cap size to ensure that we had the 
proper fit for them. On scanning days, measures of state anxiety using the state scales 
of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) were obtained, and participants provided an 
estimation of number of hours slept the night before. Scanning sessions ran for a total of 
2-hours each, with approximately 1-hour dedicated to set up of the EEG system and MRI 
safety procedures. Prior to cap setup, subjects were checked for metal using first a 
metal detector wand and then using a Ferroguard standing detector. Once confirmed 
that all metal items had been removed, participants were seated. Alcohol wipes were 
used to clean the forehead of oil and debris, and then the appropriate cap was placed on 
the head with Fp1 and Fp2 electrodes aligned directly above the line of the eyebrows 
and secured with washer stickers. The cap was tugged and smoothed to remove all 
bubbling, and a secure Velcro strap was attached under the chin of each participant. All 
electrodes were then filled with electrolyte gel. 
The scanning protocol included collection of localizers and a T1 weighted Magnetization 
Prepared Rapid Gradient Echo (MPRAGE) structural scan. Functional MRI scans were 
collected across two tasks, Gradual-Onset Continuous Performance Task (GradCPT) 
and resting-state multidimensional experience sampling (rs-MDES). The second 
scanning session was identical to the first scanning session, excluding the structural 
scan, which was Fast Low Angle Shot (FLASH) instead of MPRAGE sequence. The 
GradCPT was run for 8 minutes during which participants were instructed to respond 
with a button press to frequent city scenes and withhold response to the presentation of 
rare mountain scenes. Three runs of the rs-MDES task were collected at each session 
wherein participants visually fixated on a cross at the center of their screen and let their 
minds wander. Intermittent thought probes appeared pseudorandomly every 45-60 
seconds which were rated by participants at their own pace. Thirteen probes were 
presented in sequence, capturing unique dimensions of subjective experience for 6 trials 
across the duration of each run (3 rs-MDES runs per session).  
 
 
 
 
 
 

Statistical Analysis Plan 
 
For the primary outcome, EEG and fMRI data from all task conditions, runs, and 
sessions were analyzed. Preprocessed blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signals 
were extracted from the default mode network (DMN) in the fMRI data. Band-limited 
power amplitude at multiple frequency bands was extracted from preprocessed EEG 
data. A mass-univariate Spearman rank correlation (ρ) analysis between these EEG 
features and BOLD activity within the DMN was performed within each run. Correlations 
were then averaged across runs within subjects. Statistical significance was assessed 
within via a one-sample t-test against zero on the averaged ρ values, with P values 
corrected for multiple comparisons using the false discovery rate.