Whether differences in cognitive control affect real-time fMRI neurofeedback performance
Individual Differences in Cognitive Control Predict Real-time fMRI Neurofeedback Performance
This research tries to see if healthy adults' cognitive control skills predict how well they can learn to boost activity in the left anterior insula using real-time fMRI neurofeedback and heartbeat-focused strategies.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chengdu, Chengdu) |
| Trial ID | NCT07211269 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The study enrolls healthy adults for two visits spaced 3–7 days apart. The first visit collects standardized questionnaires, a heartbeat counting pre-test, and four cognitive control tasks (Go/No-Go, Stroop, task-switching, N-back). The second visit includes anatomical and resting-state MRI scans, four runs of real-time fMRI neurofeedback training targeting the left anterior insula with upregulation using interoceptive strategies, a transfer run without feedback, and a post-test heartbeat counting task. After regulation blocks participants provide pain empathy and strategy efficacy ratings to link neural regulation with behavioral measures.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Healthy adults without current or past psychiatric or neurological disorders who can safely undergo MRI (no metal implants or claustrophobia) and can attend two visits at the Chengdu site.
Not a fit: People with a history of brain injury, current medical or mental illness, color vision problems, metal in the body, or claustrophobia are excluded and would not be eligible or likely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify who is most likely to benefit from neurofeedback and guide more personalized approaches to interoceptive and emotional regulation.
How similar studies have performed: Prior real-time fMRI neurofeedback studies targeting the insula and interoception have shown promising but mixed effects, while using cognitive-control measures to predict individual neurofeedback success is relatively novel.
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 Medical or mental illness and color blindness or weakness. * The presence of metal in the body or claustrophobia.
Where this trial is running
Chengdu, Chengdu
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China — Chengdu, Chengdu, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Yao Shuxia, Dr. — University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
- Study coordinator: Keith M Kendrick, Dr.
- Email: k.kendrick.uestc@gmail.com
- Phone: 86-28-61830811
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.