Train the medial prefrontal cortex using imagined social support and real-time neurofeedback
Self-modulation of the mPFC Using Rt-fMRI NF Training to Improve Negative Anticipation for Future Events
This trial will test whether real-time fMRI neurofeedback that uses imagined social support helps healthy adults learn to control activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and reduce negative anticipation.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chengdu, Sichuan) |
| Trial ID | NCT07364084 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial will enroll 60 healthy participants who are randomly assigned to receive real mPFC feedback or sham feedback from an unrelated brain region. The protocol includes one baseline/localizer session, four intermittent-feedback training sessions, and one transfer session without feedback; each run has five 30-second regulation blocks interleaved with baseline blocks and a brief 4-second feedback display following each regulation block. Participants use imagined social support as the regulation strategy while the system displays mean activation changes in the target or control region. Outcomes focus on whether participants can volitionally modulate mPFC activity and whether successful modulation reduces subjective negative anticipation and increases perceived control over future events.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults with no past or current psychiatric or neurological disorders who meet MRI safety requirements and can attend multiple in-person sessions.
Not a fit: People with psychiatric or neurological disorders, a history of brain injury, regular use of psychotropic substances, or contraindications to MRI are unlikely to qualify or benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a non-drug way to reduce negative anticipation and increase a person’s sense of control over upcoming events.
How similar studies have performed: Similar real-time fMRI neurofeedback studies have shown promise in small experimental samples for modulating emotion-related brain regions but remain exploratory with mixed results.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * -Healthy subjects without any past or present psychiatric or neurological disorders Exclusion Criteria: * History of brain injury * Psychiatric or Neurological Disorder * Contraindications for MRI * Regular use of psychotropic substances (medication, drugs)
Where this trial is running
Chengdu, Sichuan
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China(UESTC), Chengdu, Sichuan 611731 — Chengdu, Sichuan, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Benjamin Becker, Dr
- Email: ben_becker@gmx.de
- Phone: 86-28-61830670
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.