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Real-time fMRI-based neurofeedback to restore brain function in substance use disorders: A systematic review of the literature
Murphy, Ethan Poudel, Govinda Ganesan, Saampras Suo, Chao Manning, Victoria Beyer, Emillie Clemente, Adam Moffat, Bradford A. Zalesky, Andrew Lorenzetti, Valentina
Murphy, Ethan
Poudel, Govinda
Ganesan, Saampras
Suo, Chao
Manning, Victoria
Beyer, Emillie
Clemente, Adam
Moffat, Bradford A.
Zalesky, Andrew
Lorenzetti, Valentina
Abstract
Introduction
Real-time functional magnetic resonance based-neurofeedback (fMRI-neurofeedback) is a neuromodulation tool where individuals self-modulate brain function based on real-time feedback of their brain activity. fMRI-neurofeedback has been used to target brain dysfunction in substance use disorders (SUDs) and to reduce craving, but a systematic synthesis of up-to-date literature is lacking.
Method
Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of all the literature that examined the effects of fMRI-neurofeedback on individuals with regular psychoactive substance use (PROSPERO pre-registration = CRD42023401137).
Results
The literature included 16 studies comprising 446 participants with SUDs involving alcohol, tobacco, and cocaine. There is consistent between-condition (e.g., fMRI-neurofeedback versus control), less consistent pre-to-post fMRI-neurofeedback, and little intervention-by-time effects on brain function in prefrontal-striatal regions and craving.
Conclusion
The evidence for changes in brain function/craving was early and inconsistent. More rigorous experiments including repeated measure designs with placebo control conditions, are required to confirm the efficacy of fMRI-neurofeedback in reducing brain alterations and craving in SUDs.
Keywords
FMRI-neurofeedback, functional MRI, substance use disorder, addiction, neuromodulation, systematic review, craving, cue-reactivity
Date
2024
Type
Journal article
Journal
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Book
Volume
165
Issue
Page Range
1-11
Article Number
Article 105865
ACU Department
Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access
Open
Notes
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).