Self-regulation of the posterior cingulate cortex with real-time fMRI neurofeedback augmented mindfulness training in healthy adolescents: A nonrandomized feasibility study
Cognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience March 15, 2022 Namik Kirlic, Zsofia P Cohen, Aki Tsuchiyagaito et al. 29 citations
A nonrandomized, single-arm study tested whether typically developing adolescents could learn to self-regulate the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) using real-time functional MRI neurofeedback during mindfulness training. Thirty-four adolescents (mean age 15; 14 females) completed the task across neurofeedback and non-neurofeedback runs. Neurofeedback runs showed significantly decreased PCC activity during the Focus-on-Breath condition compared with Describe (z = -2.38 to -6.27). State awareness of physical sensations increased after neurofeedback and was maintained at 1-week follow-up (Cohen's d = 0.69). The findings demonstrate feasibility and tolerability of this approach in healthy adolescents and replicate the role of the PCC in mindfulness.