Posterior cingulate cortex downregulation training using fMRI neurofeedback in adolescents with early life adversity exposure: a randomized, single-blind trial.
Translational Psychiatry July 13, 2025 Xiaoqian Yu, Aki Tsuchiyagaito, Masaya Misaki et al. 4 citations
Adolescents who experienced early life adversity (ELA) show greater difficulty down-regulating the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), a key node of the default mode network, compared to healthy controls. A neurofeedback-augmented mindfulness training combining breath focus with real-time fMRI neurofeedback targeting the PCC was tested in 43 ELA-exposed and 40 healthy adolescents. Those with ELA were randomly assigned to active or sham neurofeedback. Both active and sham groups showed similar PCC down-regulation, and all adolescents reported increased state mindfulness after training. ELA-exposed adolescents reported greater improvements in positive affect, negative affect, and stress at one-week follow-up relative to controls, but there was no difference between active and sham neurofeedback on self-reported measures. The approach was feasible and acceptable for ELA-exposed adolescents but may not enhance mindfulness training beyond sham.