One-Class FMRI-Inspired EEG Model for Self-Regulation Training

PLoS One. 2016 May 10;11(5):e0154968. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154968. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that learned self-regulation of localized brain activity in deep limbic areas such as the amygdala, may alleviate symptoms of affective disturbances. Thus far self-regulation of amygdala activity could be obtained only via fMRI guided neurofeedback, an expensive and immobile procedure. EEG on the other hand is relatively inexpensive and can be easily implemented in any location. However the clinical utility of EEG neurofeedback for affective disturbances remains limited due to low spatial resolution, which hampers the targeting of deep limbic areas such as the amygdala. We introduce an EEG prediction model of amygdala activity from a single electrode. The gold standard used for training is the fMRI-BOLD signal in the amygdala during simultaneous EEG/fMRI recording. The suggested model is based on a time/frequency representation of the EEG data with varying time-delay. Previous work has shown a strong inhomogeneity among subjects as is reflected by the models created to predict the amygdala BOLD response from EEG data. In that work, different models were constructed for different subjects. In this work, we carefully analyzed the inhomogeneity among subjects and were able to construct a single model for the majority of the subjects. We introduce a method for inhomogeneity assessment. This enables us to demonstrate a choice of subjects for which a single model could be derived. We further demonstrate the ability to modulate brain-activity in a neurofeedback setting using feedback generated by the model. We tested the effect of the neurofeedback training by showing that new subjects can learn to down-regulate the signal amplitude compared to a sham group, which received a feedback obtained by a different participant. This EEG based model can overcome substantial limitations of fMRI-NF. It can enable investigation of NF training using multiple sessions and large samples in various locations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amygdala / physiology*
  • Electrodes
  • Electroencephalography / instrumentation
  • Electroencephalography / methods*
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Mood Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mood Disorders / physiopathology
  • Neurofeedback / instrumentation
  • Neurofeedback / methods*
  • Time Factors

Grants and funding

This study was supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Defense (grant No. W81XWH-11-2-0008 to TH and NI; http://www.defense.gov); the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (grant No. 602186 to TH; http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/index_en.cfm); The Israeli Center of Research Excellence and Israeli Science Foundation (grant No. 51/11 to TH; http://www.i-core.org.il/The-I-CORE-Program) and the Adams Super Center for Brain Studies (YMH; http://www.brain.tau.ac.il). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.