Michelle Hampson, Ph.D. - US grants

With National Science Foundation support, Dr. Hampson will conduct a year-long investigation of techniques for using the covariation in activity of brain regions during periods of unconstrained cognition (without a psychological task) to build maps of the connected neural systems that support reading and understanding language. Recent advances in neuroimaging have led to the production of a plethora of new data on brain function. However, methods for deploying such data to develop models of interacting brain regions are presently limited. One new functional neuroimaging technique for studying brain interactions (or connectivity) examines low-frequency temporal correlations between resting state activity levels in different brain areas. This technique is used with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Dr. Hampson's project will apply this technique to the neural circuitry of reading in order to evaluate and refine the method. She will investigate the relationship between such maps of connectivity and psychological measures of reading performance. She will also assess whether resting state fMRI data can provide information regarding the existence and strength of interregional connections in individual subjects. The connectivity of this system has been previously investigated using imaging methodologies that examine across-subject correlations between brain areas. In the present project, the pattern of connections found between brain areas involved in reading will be correlated across individuals with their scores on a range of reading skills tests to determine which neural connections are most important for the different sub-processes of reading.

The techniques developed in this project are likely to lead to general methods that could be used to study relationships between brain connectivity patterns and psychological measures across subjects in many different high level cognitive systems. Such methods will be an important tool for investigating brain function at the systems level. Moreover, the findings will be incorporated into a new model of the neural substrate underlying reading ability. This model is intended to provide a framework for understanding reading disorders and to guide future experimental efforts.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a relatively common and debilitating disorder associated with hyperactivity in the orbitofrontal cortex. Current treatments are ineffective for many individuals and the development of new (preferably low-risk) clinical interventions are needed. Furthermore, the neurobiological basis of hyperactivity in orbitofrontal cortex associated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms is not well understood. The proposed research project addresses these issues by developing a protocol to train subjects to control activity in a region of their orbitofrontal cortex associated with contamination-related anxiety using biofeedback of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) data. Biofeedback of rt-fMRI data is a new technique in which the temporal pattern of activity in a specific region of a subject's brain is provided as a feedback signal to the subject. The subject can experiment with different cognitive strategies to identify those that are effective in influencing brain activity in the region of interest, thereby gaining greater control over the target brain region. The proposed research project examines whether biofeedback of rt-fMRI data can enable healthy subjects to develop greater control over the area of their orbitofrontal cortex associated with contamination-related anxiety. If so, this new technique may yield a low- risk, non-invasive clinical intervention for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. In addition, patterns of functional connectivity between the orbitofrontal cortex and other regions of the brain will be examined before and after biofeedback to identify those brain areas whose interactions with the orbitofrontal cortex are related to the ability of subjects to control activity in this area. This will inform our understanding of the network dynamics underlying biofeedback-related changes in orbitofrontal activity patterns. Although this research project is focused on developing a protocol specifically for treating and studying obsessive-compulsive disorder, the methodology has great promise as both a treatment intervention and as a research tool for a broad range of neuropsychiatric disorders. Biofeedback of rt-fMRI data is, however, a highly novel technique, and developmental studies such as the proposed project are needed to realize its full potential. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Real-time brain imaging can provide information regarding activity in specific brain areas almost as it is occurring (with only several seconds delay). By providing people with this information as a feedback signal, we aim to train them to control neural activity in particular regions of their brains and to examine how interactions between brain areas change as a result of such training. The proposed research develops this method as a tool for treating and studying obsessive-compulsive disorder in particular, although it has potential therapeutic and investigative utility for a wide range of mental disorders.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Biofeedback of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) data is a new technique in which the activity in a specific region of a subject's brain is provided as a feedback signal to the subject. The subject can experiment with different cognitive strategies to identify those that are effective in influencing brain activty in the region of interest. By practicing those strategies and monitoring their success, subjects can train themselves to control the target brain region. The proposed research project applies this technique to Tourette Syndrome, a disorder characterized by chronic tics. More specifically, the project examines whether biofeedback of rt-fMRI data can enable adolescents with Tourette Syndrome to develop control over the activity in their supplementary motor area and thereby reduce their tic symptoms. If so, this new technique may yield a low-risk, non-invasive clinical intervention for Tourette Syndrome. In addition, patterns of resting state functional connectivity between brain areas will be examined before and after biofeedback to determine how intrinsic brain dynamics are altered by the intervention, and how those alterations relate to changes in clinical symptoms. This will inform our understanding of the network dynamics underlying tic symptoms. Although this research project is focused on developing a protocol specifically for treating and studying Tourette Syndrome, the methodology has great promise as both a treatment intervention and a research tool for a broad range of neuropsychiatric disorders. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Real-time brain imaging can provide information regarding activity in a specific brain area as it changes over time. By providing Tourette Syndrome patients with this information as a feedback signal, we will train them to control neural activity n their supplementary motor area and examine how that training affects their tic symptoms and their brain function. Although the proposed research develops and applies this method specifically to the treatment and study of Tourette Syndrome, the method has potential therapeutic and investigative utility for a wide range of mental disorders.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Biofeedback of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) data is a new technique in which the activity in a specific region of a subject's brain is provided as a feedback signal to the subject. The subject can experiment with different cognitive strategies to identify those that are effective in influencing brain activty in the region of interest. By practicing those strategies and monitoring their success, subjects can train themselves to control the target brain region. The proposed research project applies this technique to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). More specifically, the project examines whether biofeedback of rt-fMRI data can enable individuals with OCD to develop control over activity in a region of their orbitofrontal cortex involved in symptom anxiety and thereby reduce their obsessive-compulsive symptoms. If so, this new technique may yield a low-risk, non-invasive clinical intervention for OCD. In addition, patterns of resting state functional connectivty between brain areas will be examined before and after biofeedback to determine how intrinsic brain dynamics are altered by the intervention, and how those alterations relate to changes in clinical symptoms. This will inform our understanding of the network dynamics underlying obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Although this research project is focused on developing a protocol specifically for treating and studying OCD, the methodology has great promise as both a treatment intervention and a research tool for a broad range of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Project Summary Neurofeedback of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) data is a new technique in which a specific aspect of brain function is monitored and provided as a feedback signal to the subject. The subject then practices controlling that aspect of their brain function using the feedback as a training signal. A large number of studies have reported success in training people to control their brain function via this technique. The proposed research project applies this technique to treating and studying post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). More specifically, the project examines whether neurofeedback of rt-fMRI data can enable individuals with PTSD to develop control over activity in a region of their amygdala involved in symptom anxiety and thereby reduce their PTSD symptoms. If so, this new technique may yield a low-risk, non-invasive clinical intervention for PTSD. In addition, patterns of resting state functional connectivity between brain areas will be examined before and after neurofeedback to determine how intrinsic brain dynamics are altered by the intervention, and how those alterations relate to changes in clinical symptoms. This will inform our understanding of the network dynamics underlying PTSD symptoms.