Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training of Amygdala Modulates Frontal EEG Asymmetry in MDD Patients

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

We have performed the first study utilizing real-time fMRI neurofeedback (rtfMRI-nf) with simultaneous EEG to explore electrophysiological correlates of rtfMRI-nf training. Eleven MDD patients learned to self-regulate their left amygdala activation using rtfMRI-nf during positive emotion induction task based on retrieval of happy autobiographical memories. We observed task-dependent variations in frontal alpha EEG asymmetry that correlated with fMRI activation in left parahippocampal gyrus area including left amygdala. Our results suggest that frontal asymmetry-based EEG neurofeedback may naturally complement rtfMRI-nf in training of emotional self-regulation, and may enhance the therapeutic value of rtfMRI-nf for major neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly depression.