Real-time functional brain imaging with neurofeedback technology: concepts, methods and applications.

我们研究的长期目标是扩展和创新功能性脑成像技术的使用，从而使用相同的仪器来绘制和促进目标特定的脑功能。在这个特别的发现项目中，我们研究了人类大脑适应和调整行为以响应来自环境的感知指数的强大能力。这种特性可以通过脑机接口（BCI）和生物反馈技术来实现和促进，这些技术的应用扩展到多个领域：从游戏行业到辅助生活的新解决方案，以及适应性学习技术和认知治疗的新兴方法。我们建议发展神经反馈方法：我们最近展示了一种技术，使用基于脑磁图（MEG）皮层成像捕获的快速神经信号分析的实时功能脑成像。参与者被提供视听刺激，这些刺激是根据他们的表现来调整他们的大脑活动，以达到预定的目标。我们的具体目标是：1)利用这项技术实现高水平的可靠性；2)优化刺激呈现的策略，以达到最大的功效；3)发展我们对稳定反馈刺激影响我们大脑活动的基本机制的理解。这项研究的影响是多方面的：方法本身是变革性的，即神经成像工具不仅用于绘制大脑功能，而且还用于介导特定大脑区域神经活动的靶向生理调节。总的来说，它将在脑成像技术的新用途方面开辟实质性的创新前景，转移到脑机接口和生物反馈以及辅助学习程序的工业应用中。

The long-term objective of our research is to extend and innovate in the usage of functional brain imaging technology, whereby the same instrument is used for both mapping and promoting targeted specific brain functions. In this particular Discovery project, we investigate the potent human brain capacity to adapt and adjust behavior in response to perceptual indices from the environment. This property can be specifically enabled and promoted by brain computer interface (BCI) and biofeedback technologies, which applications extend to multiple fields: from the gaming industry to new solutions for assisted living and emerging approaches for adaptive learning techniques and cognitive therapy. We propose to develop the neurofeedback methodology: a technique we have recently demonstrated using real-time functional brain imaging based on the analysis of fast neural signals captured with magnetoencephalography (MEG) cortical imaging. Participants are presented with audiovisual stimuli which are indexed on their performance in modifying their brain activity with respect to predetermied objectives. Our specific aims are 1) to achieve substantial levels of reliability with this technology, 2) to optimize strategies for stimulus presentation to achieve maximum efficacy and 3) develop our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of steady feedback stimulation affecting our brain activity. The impact of this research has multiple faces: the approach itself is transformative, whereby a neuroimaging tool is featured not only for mapping brain functions, but also for mediating targeted physiological modulations of neural activity in specific brain areas. Overall, it will open substantial innovation perspectives in terms of new usage of brain imaging technology, transfer to industrial applications of brain computer interfaces and biofeedback and programs of assisted learning.