Elucidation of the neural mechanisms regarding fMRI neurofeedback for chronic pain

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K07561
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshino Atsuo 広島大学, 保健管理センター, 准教授 (90633727)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-03-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 慢性疼痛

Outline of Final Research Achievements

- We conducted neurofeedback for patients with depression (n = 6), and confirmed the safety and antidepressant effect. We checked resting state brain activities conducted before the neurofeedback, and clarified that attention networks including the posterior cingulate cortex or the insula as a seed were the important regions for predicting effect of the neurofeedback.
- Improvement of negative emotion, motivation for treatment, attentional function and brain network with a focus on the insula were important as factors that impact neurofeedback effect.

Free Research Field

精神医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回の研究成果は、神経活動を直接コントロールすることで慢性疼痛の痛み、気分などの症状が改善する可能性を示しており、今後の新たな治療法開発の発展への一助となった。
またこの神経活動の修復機構の解明から、慢性疼痛のさらなる病態理解につなげることができた。