[Experience of the Continuous Real Time fMRI Biofeedback of the Primary Motor Cortex Using a 1.5 T MR Scanner].

The neurofeedback based on the motor areas fMRI signal may be a promising treatment for improving motor impairment in post-stroke conditions and Parkinson's disease. In the majority of the studies has been conducted using the 3 T MR machines, and the region of interest has been placed to the secondary motor areas. The current study attempted to perform an fMRI neurofeeback based on response of the right hand projection locus within primary motor cortex utilizing the 1.5 T MR scanner and using the optimal parameters for the named magnetic field strength. The subjects were 16 healthy participants who underwent a 30-minute imaging session comprised 1) individual func- tional localization of the region of interest (using the hand clinging task) and attempts to control its activity with 2) motor imagery and 3) any cognitive strategy chosen by participant. In both self-regulation conditions subjects activated G. precentralis, G. cinguli anterior, G. frontalis superior, G. parietalis inferior, and 6-th Brodman area. Activation maps for these two tasks didn't differ one from another significantly, and the involved area had only a few overlays with the region of interest map which signifies that training was unsucessful. The limitations of the study and factors influenc- ing the biofeedback efficacy negatively are discussed.

Possible role and application of fMRI in the screening of release-active drugs.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain was applied for preclinical evaluation of the efficiency of Divaza preparation intended for the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders. Psychological testing (Stroop task) in the magnetic field of fMRI was performed before and after 12-week treatment course using a double blind placebo-controlled protocol. It was shown that standard psychological and neuropsychological protocols do not allow fully estimate the results of treatment, whereas fMRI targeted the pool of cerebral structures activated during task solution. In the treatment group (in contrast to placebo), active zones in these structures were found only during task solution. Thus, resolution capability of fMRI significantly extends the range of rational screening by identifying active zones and can radically change the procedure of selection and clinical trials.

Trace effects of game biofeedback: functional MRI study.

We studied the intracerebral dynamics of developing skills for self-regulation of psychophysiological functions in the biofeedback game model via functional MRI. Multiple game plots managed by physiological characteristics leave a trace in the form of activity zones in the middle occipital gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, and declive functionally related to cognitive actions and operations. During the development of self-regulation skills, the gradual shift of the localization of areas of activity is observed towards sensory projection fields (e.g., thalamus, superior parietal lobule), which indicates distribution of the load toward the perceptual areas.

Neurovisualization of the dynamics of real and simulation biofeedback: functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

On-line brain mapping in subjects operating a competitive virtual gameplay was performed using functional magnetic resonance imaging. The interaction between the brain and visceral systems was studied on the model of real and simulated adaptive biofeedback. The immersion into a virtual story leads to a large-scale activation of cortical regions characterized by high values of voxels in the midtemporal, occipital, and frontal areas as well as in cingulate gyrus, cuneus, and precuneus (Brodmann areas 6, 7, 9, 10, 19, 24, 32, 39, 40, 45). The maximum increase in activity was observed during stage 2 of the game biofeedback, when the volumes of activated voxels increased several times in comparison with the starting phase. Qualitative characteristics of real and imitation game periods are discussed.

Dynamic mapping of brain and cognitive control of virtual gameplay (study by functional magnetic resonance imaging).

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging technique, we performed online brain mapping of gamers, practiced to voluntary (cognitively) control their heart rate, the parameter that operated a competitive virtual gameplay in the adaptive feedback loop. With the default start picture, the regions of interest during the formation of optimal cognitive strategy were as follows: Brodmann areas 19, 37, 39 and 40, i.e. cerebellar structures (vermis, amygdala, pyramids, clivus). "Localization" concept of the contribution of the cerebellum to cognitive processes is discussed.