Improving Visual Perception and Visuo-motor Learning With Neurofeedback of Brain Network Interaction.

Summary

Neuroscience has long focused on understanding brain activity during task performance. As a result, current training methods aim to maximize brain activation during a trained task. However, new evidence shows that this may not be an efficient way to go. Human subjects achieve maximum performance only when the brain network is in a state of high spontaneous interaction and communication between brain regions before training or, in other words, in a state of high "network communication." In this case, minimal effort is required during the task. This requires new learning strategies aimed at inducing higher network communication prior to task execution. The investigators have previously shown that healthy people can learn to increase network communication of motor areas (i.e., the areas that control movement) when they receive real-time feedback on their current activity, which is known as neurofeedback. In neurofeedback, subjects receive continuous feedback about the state of their brain activity in a present moment. Through this feedback, they can learn to change their own brain activity.

The aim of the present study is to validate neurofeedback as a new treatment approach for inducing high network communication at rest (i.e., when participants are not engaged in a task), and to test whether this heightened network communication can enhance visual perception and motor learning.

Conditions

• Healthy

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Auditory neurofeedback

Network interaction measured with EEG at visual areas will be coupled with the intensity of a sound.

BEHAVIORAL

Tactile neurofeedback

Network interaction measured with EEG at visual areas will be coupled with the intensity of tactile stimulation (i.e., electrical or vibrotactile stimulators applied on both hands and feet).

BEHAVIORAL

Auditory and tactile neurofeedback

Network interaction measured with EEG at visual areas will be coupled with the intensity of a sound and tactile stimulation.

BEHAVIORAL

Neurofeedback

Participants train to decrease the intensity of a sensory stimulation (defined in Experiment 1) that is coupled with the network interaction at a specific brain region.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Bern

  collaborator OTHER

• Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Adrian Guggisberg, Prof. Dr. · Division of Neurorehabilitation, Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-05-01

Primary Completion

2025-05-31

Completion

2025-05-31

Countries

• Switzerland

Study Locations