Changes in Upper Alpha EEG Power Predict Performance in Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training of Amygdala

Vadim Zotev¹, Han Yuan¹, Masaya Misaki¹, Raquel Phillips¹, Kymberly D. Young¹, Jerzy Bodurka¹, ²

We have conducted the first study in which EEG recordings were performed simultaneously with real-time fMRI neurofeedback (rtfMRI-nf) to explore electrophysiological correlates of rtfMRI-nf training. Eleven MDD patients learned to self-regulate their left amygdala activation using rtfMRI-nf during a positive emotion induction task based on retrieval of happy autobiographical memories. We observed significant task-dependent increases in relative upper alpha EEG power that inversely correlated with fMRI activation levels of the amygdala. Our results suggest that increased cognitive effort, reflected by the changes in upper alpha EEG power, is associated with reduced efficiency of emotional self-regulation during rtfMRI-nf training.