Real-time fMRI connectivity neurofeedback for modulation of the motor system

Abstract

Neurofeedback is one of only a few clinical neuroimaging tools that are being developed to modulate the connectivity between brain regions, namely, cortical-subcortical regions. The research conducted suggests that rt-fMRI-NF training shows promise as an upregulation tool in M1-thalamus connectivity. This could have positive impacts in clinical settings such as stroke recovery. rt-fMRI connectivity neurofeedback experimental study of this thesis was conducted to determine whether healthy participants can use neurofeedback to enhance the connectivity between M1 and the thalamus using rt-fMRI. It also aimed to investigate whether successful rt-fMRI-NF of M1-thalamus connectivity could translate into changes in behavioural measures. For this purpose, the behavioural tasks were conducted before and after each MRI session. Two behavioural tasks were used in this experiment: Go/No Go and switching tasks. The results of this experiment showed a significant increase in connectivity neurofeedback in the experimental group (M1-thalamus), hence, rt-fMRI-NF is a useful tool to modulate functional connectivity between M1 and the thalamus using motor imagery and it facilitates the learning by participants of new mental strategies to upregulate M1-thalamus connectivity. The behavioural tasks showed a significant reduction in the switching time in the experimental group while Go/No Go task did not show a significant reduction in the reaction time in the experimental group. In addition, this thesis investigated the ability to modulate M1-cerebellum connectivity using rt-fMRI-NF. To our knowledge, no research has previously investigated cerebellum-cortical area connectivity for modulation using rt-fMRI-NF, therefore, this novel technique could be beneficial in clinical settings such as stroke recovery, Parkinson’s disease and autism. This PhD thesis extends and validates the usefulness of connectivity neurofeedback using motor imagery based rt-fMRI to modulate the correlation between cortical and subcortical brain regions. Successful modulation using this technique has the potential to lead to an enhancement in motor functions. Thereby, the results of this PhD research may help to advance connectivity neurofeedback for use as a supplementary treatment for many brain disorders such as stroke recovery and Parkinson’s disease.