Optical-imaging-based Neurofeedback to Enhance Therapeutic Intervention in Adolescents with Autism: Methodology and Initial Data

Overview

Journal Neurophotonics

Date 2016 Aug 30

PMID 27570790

Citations 14

Authors

Ning Liu

Sarit Cliffer

Anjali H Pradhan

Amy Lightbody

Scott S Hall

Allan L Reiss

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Impaired facial processing may contribute to social dysfunction in certain individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Prior studies show that electroencephalogram-based and functional magnetic resonance imaging-based neurofeedback might help some individuals with ASD learn to modulate regional brain activity and thus reduce symptoms. Here, we report for the first time the feasibility of employing functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based neurofeedback training in children with ASD. We developed a method to study physiological self-regulation of oxy-hemoglobin using real-time feedback. The paradigm is illustrated with initial data from four subjects who engaged in a facial-identity recognition training program during which an implicit reinforcement was given based on the participant's brain activity and behavioral performance. Two participants had a confirmed diagnosis of ASD, and the other two were typically developing (TD). One participant with ASD and one TD participant received real-feedback (real-FB) during the training, whereas the other two received sham-feedback (sham-FB). After five training sessions, the subjects who received real-FB showed more improvement in facial recognition performance compared with those receiving sham-FB, particularly in the participant with ASD. These results suggest fNIRS-based neurofeedback could enhance therapeutic intervention in children with ASD.

Citing Articles

From lab to life: challenges and perspectives of fNIRS for haemodynamic-based neurofeedback in real-world environments.

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Paving the Way for Memory Enhancement: Development and Examination of a Neurofeedback System Targeting the Medial Temporal Lobe.

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Current opinions on the present and future use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy in psychiatry.

Li R, Hosseini H, Saggar M, Balters S, Reiss A Neurophotonics. 2023; 10(1):013505.

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[Neurofeedback technology based on functional near infrared spectroscopy imaging and its applications].

Li M, Gong A, Nan W, Xu B, Ding P, Fu Y Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi. 2022; 39(5):1041-1049.

PMID: 36310494 PMC: 9927706. DOI: 10.7507/1001-5515.202204031.

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