The overall goal of the outlined study is to establish a Real-Time (RT) functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Neurofeedback (NF) (RT-fMRI-NF) protocol aiming at modulating neural, endocrine, and subjective reactivity to psychosocial stress.
The overall goal of the outlined study is to establish an RT-fMRI-NF protocol aiming at modulating neural, endocrine, and subjective reactivity to psychosocial stress. More specifically, the investigators pursue the following goals: a) to evaluate whether neural and subjective stress-reactivity can be modified by training volitional control over targeted brain activity by means of RT-fMRI-NF; b) to evaluate whether neuromodulation by means of RT-fMRI-NF can be used as a new way to modulate hormone-release into the periphery; and c) to evaluate whether the efficacy of neuromodulation by RT-fMRI-NF can also be reflected on EEG data as well as the autonomic nervous system (ANS) measured by heart rate variability (HRV).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Subjects are provided with contingent RT-fMRI-NF of brain activity in the target region of interest.
Subjects are provided with sham RT-fMRI-NF of brain activity of previously recorded subject.
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity
Assessed via salivary cortisol
Time frame: At study day one
Blood oxygenation level dependent signal of the target brain region of interest
Blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal assessed via functional magnetic resonance imaging, expressed in relative BOLD signal intensity
Time frame: At study day one
Psychophysiological stress reactivity - blood pressure
Assessed via blood pressure
Time frame: At study day one
Psychophysiological stress reactivity - heart rate variability
Assessed via heart rate variability
Time frame: At study day one
Psychophysiological stress reactivity - heart rate
Assessed via heart rate
Time frame: At study day one
Subjective stress reactivity
Assessed via Visual Analog Scale
Time frame: At study day one
Electrical activity of the brain
Assessed via electroencephalography (EEG)
Time frame: At study day one
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