This study will examine the effect of a real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) dyadic neurofeedback protocol with mothers and their adolescent daughters. Mothers will view a moving bar showing their daughters' brain activity on a computer screen while talking to their daughters.
The current study will determine the effects of a real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging dyadic neurofeedback (rtfMRI-DNF) protocol that will train mothers with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to regulate adolescents' activation in the anterior insular cortex (aIC) - a key brain region for ER. The proposed study will test the efficacy of this protocol to promote healthy ER-related neurodevelopment in adolescents with a maternal history of adversity. The proposed study will use DNF to provide neurofeedback from the adolescent's aIC to the parent as the parent and adolescent engage in an emotion discussion task together. Parents and adolescents (n=10 dyads) will communicate via microphones and noise-canceling headphones while the adolescent is undergoing fMRI scanning. Specific aims of the current study are: (1) to determine the brain response to aIC DNF adolescents, and (2) to determine effects of DNF on parenting behaviors. This study is significant because engaging with parents in DNF can promote positive ER development in adolescents at risk due to the intergenerational effects of ACEs.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Participants will attempt to regulate their partner's brain activation in a specified brain region via real-time fMRI neurofeedback.
Hardesty Center for Clinical Research and Neuroscience
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent (BOLD) signal changes (brain activation)
Activation in the brain region targeted for neurofeedback and associated regions at Session 1. We hypothesize that lower activity will indicate a better outcome.
Time frame: One hour (measured during first scan session)
Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent (BOLD) signal changes (brain activation)
Activation in the brain region targeted for neurofeedback and associated regions at Session 2. We hypothesize that lower activity will indicate a better outcome.
Time frame: One hour (measured during second scan session)
Resting-state network activity (change over time)
Brain activity during fMRI resting-state scan
Time frame: Change in resting-state activity over one week, from Session 1 to Session 2. Resting-state scan will last approximately 8 minutes.
Parent validating statements (change over time)
Validating statements made by the parent participant during the scan sessions. Statements will be coded using the Parent-Child Validation/Invalidation Behavior Coding Scales (Schneider \& Fruzzetti, 2002). Higher scores are indicative of a better outcome.
Time frame: Change in frequency in validation as coded by the manual over one week, from Session 1 to Session 2. Validating statements are measured and recorded during the scan sessions.
Parenting behaviors (change over time)
Change over time in adolescent's responses to the Children's Report of Parent Behavior Inventory (Schludermann \& Schludermann, 1988). The CRPBI has 3 subscales, each with a score range of 10-30. Interpretation/valence of the scores varies by subscale.
Time frame: Measured at the first research session and biweekly for two months
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Emotion regulation (change over time)
Change over time in adolescent's responses to the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (Gratz \& Roemer, 2008). The DERS consists of 36 items rated on a 1-5 Likert scale (scale range: 36-180). Higher scores indicate greater difficulties with emotion regulation.
Time frame: Measured at the first research session and biweekly for two months
Depressive symptoms (change over time)
Change over time in adolescent's responses to the PROMIS (Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System) Pediatric Short Form Version 2 (Quinn et al., 2014). This is an 8-item scale with scores ranging from 8-40, with higher scores indicating more depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Measured at the first research session and biweekly for two months