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 in the experimental condition will view a moving bar showing their daughters' brain activity on a computer screen while talking to their daughters.
Adolescents with a family history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at heightened risk for depression and other mental health problems related to poor emotion regulation (ER). The proposed study will test the efficacy of a real-time fMRI dyadic neurofeedback (DNF) protocol to promote healthy ER-related neurodevelopment in female adolescents with a maternal history of ACEs. The proposed study will use DNF to provide neurofeedback from the adolescent's anterior insular cortex (aIC) to the adolescent's mother as the mother and adolescent engage in an emotion discussion task together. Parents and adolescents (n=35 active DNF; n=35 control) will communicate via microphones and noise-canceling headphones while the adolescent is undergoing fMRI scanning. Specific aims of the current study are to determine: 1) the effects of aIC DNF on the developing ER network in adolescents with a history of maternal ACEs, 2) associations between parenting practices during DNF and reduced adolescent aIC activation, and 3) longitudinal effects of aIC DNF on adolescent internalizing symptoms.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
210
Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging dyadic neurofeedback
Hardesty Center for Clinical Research and Neuroscience
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent (BOLD) signal changes (brain activation)
Activation in the right anterior insular cortex and associated regions. We hypothesize that lower activity will indicate a better outcome.
Time frame: One hour (measured during one scan session)
Resting-state network activity
Brain activity during fMRI resting-state scan
Time frame: One year (change from first scan session to one-year follow-up)
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: One year (change from first scan session to one-year follow-up)
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: One year (change from first scan session to one-year follow-up)
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: One year (change from first scan session to one-year follow-up)
Parent-adolescent interaction quality (change over time)
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Adolescents will complete ecological momentary assessment (EMA) measures multiple times per day over a period of two weeks and report on emotions experienced during interactions with their mother. The ratio of positive to negative interactions across the EMA period will be calculated.
Time frame: Two weeks
Affect variability (change over time)
Adolescents will complete ecological momentary assessment (EMA) measures multiple times per day over a period of two weeks and rate their current emotions at the time of the prompt. Affect variability will be quantified as the standard deviation in mean negative emotion ratings.
Time frame: Two weeks