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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
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A Protocol for the Administration of Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training
Published on: August 24, 2017
Modulation of subgenual anterior cingulate cortex activity with real-time neurofeedback.
J Paul Hamilton1, Gary H Glover, Jung-Jiin Hsu
1Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA. paul.hamilton@stanford.edu paul.hamilton@stanford.edu
Human Brain Mapping
|December 16, 2010
Summary
Individuals can learn to decrease activity in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sACC) using real-time fMRI neurofeedback. This brain region is crucial for emotion regulation and implicated in affective disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Psychology
Background:
- Real-time neurofeedback enables mapping brain center controllability.
- The subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sACC) is implicated in affective states and psychopathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if individuals can modulate sACC activity using real-time fMRI neurofeedback.
- To assess the controllability of a key affective brain region.
Main Methods:
- An experimental group (n=8) underwent fMRI scans with and without sACC neurofeedback, aiming to decrease activity.
- A yoked feedback control group (n=9) received sham feedback.
- Psychophysiological interaction analysis examined connectivity between sACC and posterior cingulate cortex.
Main Results:
- The experimental group significantly reduced sACC activity during neurofeedback training.
- This reduction did not generalize to a neurofeedback-free post-training scan.
- Decreased correlation between sACC and posterior cingulate cortex activity was observed during training in the experimental group.
Conclusions:
- Real-time fMRI neurofeedback allows for the down-modulation of the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sACC).
- This demonstrates controllability over a primary emotion center implicated in affective disorders.
