Self-regulation of Prefrontal Cortex during Emotional Cognitive Control - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Deficits in emotional cognitive control are present in a number of clinical psychiatric populations including
depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Deficits in this domain of function limit one's ability to focus attention on goal-
directed activities while inhibiting reactions to irrelevant emotional stimuli, and this contributes to the symptoms
of these disorders and makes individuals less likely to be successful in existing treatments. The left dorsolateral
prefrontal cortex (LDLPFC) and its connectivity with other regions (i.e., dorsal anterior cingulate cortex,
ventromedial prefrontal cortex, insula, amygdala) is thought to play a central role in facilitating emotional
cognitive control. However, past research has primarily utilized correlational approaches that limit conclusions
about the directionality of these relationships. Enhancing our understanding of the neural underpinnings of
emotional cognitive control could be valuable for informing treatment for populations with deficits in these
processes. The current study utilizes a neuromodulatory approach called real-time functional magnetic
resonance imaging neurofeedback (rtfMRI-nf) whereby participants observe their own neural activity in the
moment and are taught to self-regulate this activity. Healthy adult participants will be trained to increase neural
activity in LDLPFC while involved in mental tasks involving emotional cognitive control processes. The mental
tasks will include counting, remembering words, or planning events while viewing negatively-valenced emotional
words (e.g., kill, death, threat). This study will use an experimental approach with participants being randomized
to either LDLPFC rtfMRI-nf or control rtfMRI-nf where participants receive neural feedback from a region not
involved with emotional cognitive control processes. Resting-state fMRI scans and behavioral testing sessions
will take place before and after rtfMRI-nf. The specific aims are to examine the impact of LDLPFC rtfMRI-nf on:
(1) LDLPFC activity during emotional cognitive control and (2) LDLPFC functional connectivity with other brain
regions during rest. Additionally, this study will examine the neural correlates of emotional cognitive control
independent of rtfMRI-nf. Thus, the final specific aim is to (3) Investigate relationships between individual
differences in LDLPFC engagement, cognitive control performance, trauma history, and sleep quality. To
facilitate the relevance of these findings to clinical populations, trauma exposure and sleep quality will be
explored as moderators of neural change across time for those in the rtfMRI-nf group. To these ends, this study
will use rtfMRI-nf to experimentally investigate the relationship between LDLPFC activity and emotional cognitive
control as well as investigate these neural mechanisms independent of rtfMRI-nf. This research will improve our
understanding of emotional cognitive control and demonstrate whether this is a modifiable target for intervention
in populations with deficits in this domain of function. Future studies by the applicant could utilize LDLPFC rtfMRI-
nf or other neuromodulatory approaches to modify neural activity and behavior in clinical populations, which
could potentially lead to improved outcomes either as standalone or adjunctive treatment.
