fMRI neurofeedback in the motor system elicits bidirectional changes in activity and in white matter structure in the adult human brain

Sampaio-Baptista, C. , Neyedli, H. F., Sanders, Z.-B., Biosi, K., Havard, D., Huang, Y., Andersson, J. L.R., Lühr, M., Goebel, R. and Johansen-Berg, H. (2021) fMRI neurofeedback in the motor system elicits bidirectional changes in activity and in white matter structure in the adult human brain. Cell Reports, 37(4), 109890. (doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109890)

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Abstract

White matter (WM) plasticity supports skill learning and memory. Up- and downregulation of brain activity in animal models lead to WM alterations. But can bidirectional brain-activity manipulation change WM structure in the adult human brain? We employ fMRI neurofeedback to endogenously and directionally modulate activity in the sensorimotor cortices. Diffusion tensor imaging is acquired before and after two separate conditions, involving regulating sensorimotor activity either up or down using real or sham neurofeedback (n = 20 participants × 4 scans). We report rapid opposing changes in corpus callosum microstructure that depend on the direction of activity modulation. Our findings show that fMRI neurofeedback can be used to endogenously and directionally alter not only brain-activity patterns but also WM pathways connecting the targeted brain areas. The level of associated brain activity in connected areas is therefore a possible mediator of previously described learning-related changes in WM.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust (WT090955AIA and 110027/Z/15/Z to H.J.-B.). The research was further supported by Marie Curie Actions (Adaptive Brain Computations network PITN-GA-2008-290011) and by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre based at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Oxford. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, or the Department of Health. The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging is supported by core funding from the Wellcome Trust (203139/Z/16/Z).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Sampaio Baptista, Dr Cassandra
Authors: Sampaio-Baptista, C., Neyedli, H. F., Sanders, Z.-B., Biosi, K., Havard, D., Huang, Y., Andersson, J. L.R., Lühr, M., Goebel, R., and Johansen-Berg, H.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:Cell Reports
Publisher:Elsevier (Cell Press)
ISSN:2211-1247
ISSN (Online):2211-1247
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Cell Reports 37(4): 109890
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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