Cited by 102Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesFunctional Brain Connectivity StudiesAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Real-Time Functional Connectivity-Informed Neurofeedback of Amygdala-Frontal Pathways Reduces Anxiety

Open access
Zhao, Zhiying, Yao, Shuxia, Li, Keshuang, Sindermann, Cornelia, Zhou, Feng, Zhao, Weihua, Li, Jianfu, Lührs, Michael +3 more·2019·Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics

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Abstract

Background: Deficient emotion regulation and exaggerated anxiety represent a major transdiagnostic psychopathological marker. On the neural level these deficits have been closely linked to impaired, yet treatment-sensitive, prefrontal regulatory control over the amygdala. Gaining direct control over these pathways could therefore provide an innovative and promising intervention to regulate exaggerated anxiety. To this end the current proof-of-concept study evaluated the feasibility, functional relevance and maintenance of a novel connectivity-informed real-time fMRI neurofeedback training. Methods: In a randomized crossover sham-controlled design, 26 healthy subjects with high anxiety underwent real-time fMRI-guided neurofeedback training to enhance connectivity between the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) and the amygdala (target pathway) during threat exposure. Maintenance of regulatory control was assessed after 3 days and in the absence of feedback. Training-induced changes in functional connectivity of the target pathway and anxiety ratings served as primary outcomes. Results: Training of the target, yet not the sham control, pathway significantly increased amygdala-vlPFC connectivity and decreased levels of anxiety. Stronger connectivity increases were significantly associated with higher anxiety reduction on the group level. At the follow-up, volitional control over the target pathway was maintained in the absence of feedback. Conclusions: The present results demonstrate for the first time that successful self-regulation of amygdala-prefrontal top-down regulatory circuits may represent a novel intervention to control anxiety. As such, the present findings underscore both the critical contribution of amygdala-prefrontal circuits to emotion regulation and the therapeutic potential of connectivity-informed real-time neurofeedback.

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  • Transfer of acquired strategies to everyday life and perceived efficiency have not been systematically examined in PTSD.

    “Moreover, despite increasing evidence for the maintenance of neural regulatory control acquired during NF trainings in the absence of feedback and for periods of several days (Rance et al., 2018, Yao et al., 2016, Zhao et al., 2019) the transfer of the acquired strategies to everyday life and the perceived efficiency have not been systematically examined in PTSD.”

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1 of the 85 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Koch SBJ, van Zuiden M, Nawijn L, Frijling JL, Veltman DJ, Olff M (2016): Aberrant Resting-State Brain Activity in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: a Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. Depress Anxiety. 33: 592-605.
  2. Spielberger C (1983): Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Consult Psychol Press. 4-26.

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Authors
Zhao, Z., Yao, S., Li, K., Sindermann, C., Zhou, F., Zhao, W., Li, J., Lührs, M., Goebel, R., Kendrick, K. M., & Becker, B.
Affiliations
  • University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (CN)
  • Universität Ulm (DE)
  • Maastricht University (NL)
Venue
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Published
2019
Volume
88
Issue
1
Pages
5-15
ISSN
  • 0033-3190 (ISSN-L)
  • 1423-0348
OpenAlex
W2951709304
Cited by
102
References
85
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2
FWCI
8.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (publishedVersion)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (91632117, 31530032, 31700998)
  • Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (ZYGX2015Z002)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
real-time fMRI neurofeedback, amygdala, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, amygdala-prefrontal connectivity, anxiety, emotion regulation, top-down control, threat exposure, self-regulation, transdiagnostic psychopathology
MeSH terms
Self-Control, Proof of Concept Study, Adult, Amygdala, Anxiety, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nerve Net, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Prefrontal Cortex, Cross-Over Studies, Neurofeedback, Functional Neuroimaging

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