Pituitary-Adrenal System, Stress
Conditions
Keywords
Neurofeedback, Stress, fMRI, Real-time fMRI Neurofeedback, Anterior cingulate cortex, Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, Cortisol, EEG, Heart rate variability, Blood pressure, Simultaneous EEG/fMRI
Brief summary
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.
Detailed description
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).
Interventions
Subjects are provided with contingent RT-fMRI-NF of brain activity in the target region of interest.
OTHERSham RT-fMRI-NF
Subjects are provided with sham RT-fMRI-NF of brain activity of previously recorded subject.
Sponsors
University of Basel
Korea University
University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Sufficient spoken and written knowledge of English * Right-handedness * Ability to participate in study procedures
Exclusion criteria
* Present or past psychological or psychiatric therapy * Major or unstable general medical conditions * Presence of cardiovascular disease * Current intake of any medication interfering hormonal assessments * History of major cerebral injury * Medical MRI contraindication
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Blood oxygenation level dependent signal of the target brain region of interest | At study day one | Blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal assessed via functional magnetic resonance imaging, expressed in relative BOLD signal intensity |
| Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity | At study day one | Assessed via salivary cortisol |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Psychophysiological stress reactivity - heart rate variability | At study day one | Assessed via heart rate variability |
| Subjective stress reactivity | At study day one | Assessed via Visual Analog Scale |
| Electrical activity of the brain | At study day one | Assessed via electroencephalography (EEG) |
| Psychophysiological stress reactivity - heart rate | At study day one | Assessed via heart rate |
| Psychophysiological stress reactivity - blood pressure | At study day one | Assessed via blood pressure |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Functional connectivity | At study day one | Connectivity of brain activity determined by fMRI signal |
| Feedback on adverse events during the scanner training | At study day one | Number of subjects reporting an adverse event |
Outcome results
None listed