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A Protocol for the Administration of Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training
Published on: August 24, 2017
Boosting brain functions: Improving executive functions with behavioral training, neurostimulation, and neurofeedback
Stefanie Enriquez-Geppert1, René J Huster, Christoph S Herrmann
1Department of Experimental Psychology, Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany.
Summary
Cognitive enhancement research explores behavioral training and direct neuromodulation to improve executive functions (EFs). Both methods show benefits for tasks like response inhibition and memory updating, suggesting potential for broader cognitive improvements.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Cognitive enhancement is a significant area of public and scientific interest.
- Executive functions (EFs) are crucial for daily life; their deterioration is linked to mental impairments.
- Improving EFs has substantial individual, social, and economic importance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize research on enhancing executive functions.
- To compare two main approaches: computerized behavioral training and direct neuromodulation (neurofeedback, transcranial electrostimulation).
- To examine effects on specific EFs: task switching, memory updating, response inhibition, and dual-task performance.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies on computerized cognitive training for executive functions.
- Review of studies on neurofeedback and transcranial electrostimulation for executive functions.
- Analysis of behavioral outcomes related to task switching, memory updating, response inhibition, and dual-task performance.
Main Results:
- Behavioral cognitive training improved performance in task switching, memory updating, and dual tasks.
- Direct neuromodulation, targeting brain regions like the right inferior frontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, also yielded behavioral benefits.
- Neuromodulation showed improvements in response inhibition, task switching, and memory updating.
Conclusions:
- Both behavioral training and direct neuromodulation show promise for enhancing executive functions.
- Current data suggest that training-induced gains may generalize to untrained tasks and across cognitive domains.
- Further research is needed to compare the effectiveness of different training approaches due to methodological inconsistencies.
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