Emotion Study -- A Neurofeedback Approach

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

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

Conditions
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Aging, Emotion

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Brain activity training - anterior insula
* Behavioral: Brain activity training - medial prefrontal cortex


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 90 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Anterior insula cortex activation<br>Participants will receive 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. | Behavioral: Brain activity training - anterior insula<br>* training sessions using a special feedback technique to learn to actively increase blood flow in the front of the brain<br>|
| Active Comparator: Primary auditory cortex activation<br>Participants 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. | Behavioral: Brain activity training - medial prefrontal cortex<br>* training sessions using a special feedback technique to learn to actively increase blood flow in the back of the brain<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Increased activation of anterior insula from pre-training to post-training | Both young and older participants can be trained in up-regulation of anterior insula activity, by means of contingent neurofeedback (rt-fMRI), reflecting continued plasticity of brain regions associated with affective processing. | Pre-training session (baseline visit); post-training session (approximately one week later) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gained volitional control over activity in anterior insula improves emotion perception from pre-training to post-training | Participants in the experimental group compared to the control group will benefit more from neurofeedback, in that they will show relatively greater improvement in emotion perception after the rt-fMRI training, reflecting a potential for improvement of neural dysregulation related to affective processing. | Pre-training (baseline visit); post-training visit (approximately one week later) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Emotional Aging, Neurofeedback