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Neurofeedback Tunes Scale-Free Dynamics in Spontaneous Brain Activity

Ros, T. ; Frewen, P. ; Théberge, J. ; Michela, A. ; Kluetsch, R. ; Mueller, A. ; Candrian, G. ; Jetly, R. ; Vuilleumier, P. ; Lanius, R. A.

In: Cerebral Cortex, 2017, vol. 27, no. 10, p. 4911-4922

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    Titre
    • Neurofeedback Tunes Scale-Free Dynamics in Spontaneous Brain Activity
    Auteur
    • Ros, T.. Geneva Neuroscience Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Geneva, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland
    • Frewen, P.. Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London N6A 5A5, Ontario, Canada
    • Théberge, J.. Department of Medical Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London N6C 2R5, Ontario, Canada
    • Michela, A.. Geneva Neuroscience Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Geneva, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland
    • Kluetsch, R.. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Mannheim-Heidelberg University, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
    • Mueller, A.. Brain and Trauma Foundation, CH-7000 Chur, Switzerland
    • Candrian, G.. Brain and Trauma Foundation, CH-7000 Chur, Switzerland
    • Jetly, R.. Directorate of Mental Health, Canadian Forces Health Services, Ottawa K1A 0K6, Canada
    • Vuilleumier, P.. Geneva Neuroscience Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Geneva, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland
    • Lanius, R. A.. Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London N6A 5A5, Ontario, Canada
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • Cerebral Cortex, 2017, vol. 27, no. 10, p. 4911-4922. Oxford University Press
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:331784
    Summary
    Brain oscillations exhibit long-range temporal correlations (LRTCs), which reflect the regularity of their fluctuations: lowvalues representing more random (decorrelated) while high values more persistent (correlated) dynamics. LRTCs constitute supporting evidence that the brain operates near criticality, a state where neuronal activities are balanced between order and randomness. Here, healthy adults used closed-loop brain training (neurofeedback, NFB) to reduce the amplitude of alpha oscillations, producing a significant increase in spontaneous LRTCs post-training. This effect was reproduced in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, where abnormally random dynamics were reversed byNFB, correlating with significant improvements in hyperarousal. Notably, regions manifesting abnormally low LRTCs (i.e., excessive randomness) normalized toward healthy population levels, consistent with theoretical predictions about self-organized criticality. Hence, when exposed to appropriate training, spontaneous cortical activity reveals a residual capacity for "self-tuning” its own temporal complexity, despite manifesting the abnormal dynamics seen in individuals with psychiatric disorder. Lastly, we observed an inverse-U relationship between strength of LRTC and oscillation amplitude, suggesting a breakdown of long-range dependence at high/low synchronization extremes, in line with recent computational models. Together, our findings offer a broader mechanistic framework for motivating research and clinical applications of NFB, encompassing disorders with perturbed LRTCs.