Effective Connectivity of the Bilateral Amygdala, Dorsomedial Prefrontal, and Subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortices: Feasibility of Positive Social Emotion Regulation Models for Real-Time Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Effective connectivity based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allows assessing directions of interaction between brain regions. For real-time fMRI, we compared models of positive social emotion regulation based on a network involving the bilateral amygdala, dorsomedial prefrontal, and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex. The top-down regulation model implied modulation of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex exerted onto other regions, while the bottom-up model implied the inverse modulation. The validity of model calculations was tested using the data from three healthy volunteers who imagined positive interactions with people in presented photos (stimuli). We confirmed the dominance of the top-down model and evaluated the number and duration of iterations required for model estimations. The study shows the applicability of the four-node effective connectivity models for regulation of positive social emotions using real-time fMRI, e.g., for neurofeedback applications.

fMRI Brain Response in Patients with Depression at the Time of Control of the Severity of Positive Social Emotions and Analysis of Behavioral Factors.

The study presents functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data on the brain activity in depression and psycho-diagnostic indicators that characterize cognitive activity strategies of positive social emotion regulation. It was shown that fMRI activity of the brain during viewing of emotionally neutral and moderately positive images and searching for an optimal self-regulation strategy was associated with changes in activation in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. Analysis of behavioral factors showed that strategies of searching for the optimal way of emotional self-regulation were closely related to the general style of behavior, level of uncertainty tolerance, and commitment. The integration of psycho-diagnostic and neuroimaging data allows deeper understanding of the mechanisms of emotions regulation that contributes to the optimization of protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders.

The Relationships Between Cortical Activity while Observing Images Featuring Different Degrees of Ambiguity and Ambiguity Tolerance.

We performed a fMRI study during which 18 healthy subjects passively viewed abstract images and tried to name them. The images were geometric primitives, impossible images (Penrose images), and ambiguous images (Rorschach inkblots). Activation and deactivation areas were revealed for each task. The results of psychological assessment of ambiguity tolerance according to MSTAT-I inventory were used as regressors. Deactivation of the precuneus (Brodmann area 7) and neighboring structures (especially when observing geometric primitives and inventing names for them) and in the fronto-temporal areas was associated with high ambiguity tolerance. Similar links were observed for both activation and deactivation (depending on the certain contrast) of the occipito-cerebellar area.

[Experience of the Continuous Real Time fMRI Biofeedback of the Primary Motor Cortex Using a 1.5 T MR Scanner].

The neurofeedback based on the motor areas fMRI signal may be a promising treatment for improving motor impairment in post-stroke conditions and Parkinson's disease. In the majority of the studies has been conducted using the 3 T MR machines, and the region of interest has been placed to the secondary motor areas. The current study attempted to perform an fMRI neurofeeback based on response of the right hand projection locus within primary motor cortex utilizing the 1.5 T MR scanner and using the optimal parameters for the named magnetic field strength. The subjects were 16 healthy participants who underwent a 30-minute imaging session comprised 1) individual func- tional localization of the region of interest (using the hand clinging task) and attempts to control its activity with 2) motor imagery and 3) any cognitive strategy chosen by participant. In both self-regulation conditions subjects activated G. precentralis, G. cinguli anterior, G. frontalis superior, G. parietalis inferior, and 6-th Brodman area. Activation maps for these two tasks didn't differ one from another significantly, and the involved area had only a few overlays with the region of interest map which signifies that training was unsucessful. The limitations of the study and factors influenc- ing the biofeedback efficacy negatively are discussed.

On Methods for the Analysis of Indefinite Stimuli Perception Characteristics: an fMRT Study of Gender-Specific Differences.

Comparative identification of cerebral regions activated in men and women during perception of indefinite images was carried out by fMRT and psychological testing. Nine men and nine women aged 20-26 years took part in the study. The volunteers examined simple geometric figures, slightly structurized images (tables from Rorschach's test), and images of impossible figures. Activation in the cerebellum and visual cortex (bilateral) was more pronounced in women in response to all types of images and less so in the right G. temporalis medius. The right frontal regions (G. precentralis, G. frontalis superior, G. frontalis medius) were also stronger activated in women in response to indefinite stimuli.

Raven's Progressive Matrices in the Lexicon of Dynamic Mapping of the Brain (MRI).

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we studied intracerebral dynamics during completion of Raven's Progressive Matrices test. Solving the test organized in sets of progressively increasing difficulty cause changes in cerebellar activation functionally related to cognitive activities and operations. As the tasks became more complicated, we observed gradual suppression of the activity of default mode network (DMN). The most pronounced changes in cerebral activation patterns occurred the second set of the test and involved associative somatosensory area and Wernicke's area that is known to play an important role in cognitive processes associated with synthesis and analysis of information.

Synergetic fMRI-EEG brain mapping in alpha-rhythm voluntary control mode.

For the first time in neurobiology-related issues, the synergistic spatial dynamics of EEG and fMRI (BOLD phenomenon) was studied during cognitive alpha biofeedback training in the operant conditioning mode (acoustic reinforcement of alpha-rhythm development and stability). Significant changes in alpha-rhythm intensity were found in T6 electrode area (Brodmann area 37). Brodmann areas related to solving alpha-training tasks and maximally involved in the formation of new neuronal network were middle and superior temporal gyri (areas 21, 22, and 37), fusiform gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus (areas 4, 6, and 46), anterior cingulate gyrus (areas 23 and 24), cuneus, and precuneus (area 7). Wide involvement of Brodmann areas is determined by psychological architecture of alpha-rhythm generating system control that includes complex cognitive activities: decision making, retrieval of long-term memory, evaluation of the reward and control efficiency during alpha-EEG biofeedback.

Possible role and application of fMRI in the screening of release-active drugs.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain was applied for preclinical evaluation of the efficiency of Divaza preparation intended for the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders. Psychological testing (Stroop task) in the magnetic field of fMRI was performed before and after 12-week treatment course using a double blind placebo-controlled protocol. It was shown that standard psychological and neuropsychological protocols do not allow fully estimate the results of treatment, whereas fMRI targeted the pool of cerebral structures activated during task solution. In the treatment group (in contrast to placebo), active zones in these structures were found only during task solution. Thus, resolution capability of fMRI significantly extends the range of rational screening by identifying active zones and can radically change the procedure of selection and clinical trials.

Dynamic mapping of the brain in substance-dependent individuals: functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging can be used to study numerous brain dysfunctions, including disorders of the self, in substance-dependent individuals. The self as the sum of human concepts about oneself is regulated by the brain system close to the default mode network: the medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulated gyrus, and some parietal regions. However, the composition and activity of this system in mental disease, specifically, in substance addiction, are virtually not described. Our study showed that self-appraisal task in addicts activates the superior frontal cortex, cuneus, precuneus, angular gyrus, and posterior cingulated cortex. The involvement of the parietal (postcentral and supramarginal gyri) and temporal (superior temporal and Heschl's gyri) sensory areas is diminished. Hence, published data on the involvement of the cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex in functional regulation of the self are confirmed. Activation-deactivation patterns in the parietal and temporal regions differ significantly from the previous descriptions.

Trace effects of game biofeedback: functional MRI study.

We studied the intracerebral dynamics of developing skills for self-regulation of psychophysiological functions in the biofeedback game model via functional MRI. Multiple game plots managed by physiological characteristics leave a trace in the form of activity zones in the middle occipital gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, and declive functionally related to cognitive actions and operations. During the development of self-regulation skills, the gradual shift of the localization of areas of activity is observed towards sensory projection fields (e.g., thalamus, superior parietal lobule), which indicates distribution of the load toward the perceptual areas.

Neurovisualization of the dynamics of real and simulation biofeedback: functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

On-line brain mapping in subjects operating a competitive virtual gameplay was performed using functional magnetic resonance imaging. The interaction between the brain and visceral systems was studied on the model of real and simulated adaptive biofeedback. The immersion into a virtual story leads to a large-scale activation of cortical regions characterized by high values of voxels in the midtemporal, occipital, and frontal areas as well as in cingulate gyrus, cuneus, and precuneus (Brodmann areas 6, 7, 9, 10, 19, 24, 32, 39, 40, 45). The maximum increase in activity was observed during stage 2 of the game biofeedback, when the volumes of activated voxels increased several times in comparison with the starting phase. Qualitative characteristics of real and imitation game periods are discussed.

Dynamic mapping of brain and cognitive control of virtual gameplay (study by functional magnetic resonance imaging).

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging technique, we performed online brain mapping of gamers, practiced to voluntary (cognitively) control their heart rate, the parameter that operated a competitive virtual gameplay in the adaptive feedback loop. With the default start picture, the regions of interest during the formation of optimal cognitive strategy were as follows: Brodmann areas 19, 37, 39 and 40, i.e. cerebellar structures (vermis, amygdala, pyramids, clivus). "Localization" concept of the contribution of the cerebellum to cognitive processes is discussed.