Top

Published in:

01-11-2017 | Original Paper

Alpha/Theta Neurofeedback Increases Mentalization and Default Mode Network Connectivity in a Non-Clinical Sample

Authors: Claudio Imperatori, Giacomo Della Marca, Noemi Amoroso, Giulia Maestoso, Enrico Maria Valenti, Chiara Massullo, Giuseppe Alessio Carbone, Anna Contardi, Benedetto Farina

Published in: Brain Topography | Issue 6/2017

Abstract

Several studies showed the effectiveness of alpha/theta (A/T) neurofeedback training in treating some psychiatric conditions. Despite the evidence of A/T effectiveness, the psychological and neurobiological bases of its effects is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to explore the usefulness of the A/T training in increasing mentalization in a non-clinical sample. The modifications of electroencephalographic (EEG) functional connectivity in Default Mode Network (DMN) associated with A/T training were also investigated. Forty-four subjects were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to receive ten sessions of A/T training [neurofeedback group (NFG) = 22], or to act as controls [waiting list group (WLG) = 22]. All participants were administered the mentalization questionnaire (MZQ) and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). In the post training assessment, compared to WLG, NFG showed a significant increase of MZQ total scores (3.94 ± 0.73 vs. 3.53 ± 0.77; F_1;43 = 8.19; p = 0.007; d = 0.863). Furthermore, A/T training was also associated with a significant increase of EEG functional connectivity in several DMN brain areas (e.g. Posterior Cingulate Cortex). Taken together our results support the usefulness of the A/T training in enhancing mentalization and DMN connectivity.

Arani FD, Rostami R, Nostratabadi M (2010) Effectiveness of neurofeedback training as a treatment for opioid-dependent patients. Clin EEG Neurosci 41:170–177. doi:10.1177/155005941004100313 CrossRefPubMed

Bowyer SM (2016) Coherence a measure of the brain networks: past and present. Neuropsychiatr Electrophysiol 2:1–12. doi:10.1186/s40810-015-0015-7 CrossRef

Boynton T (2001) Applied research using alpha/theta training for enhancing creativity and well-being. J Neurother 5:5–18CrossRef

Burns ST (2015) Neurofeedback in hereditary angioedema: a single case study of symptom reduction. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 40:251–256. doi:10.1007/s10484-015-9288-7 CrossRefPubMed

Canuet L et al (2011) Resting-state EEG source localization and functional connectivity in schizophrenia-like psychosis of epilepsy. PLoS ONE 6:e27863. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0027863 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Canuet L et al (2012) Resting-state network disruption and APOE genotype in Alzheimer’s disease: a lagged functional connectivity study. PLoS ONE 7:e46289. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0046289 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Ciaramidaro A, Adenzato M, Enrici I, Erk S, Pia L, Bara BG, Walter H (2007) The intentional network: how the brain reads varieties of intentions. Neuropsychologia 45:3105–3113. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2007.05.011 CrossRefPubMed

Cohen J (1988) Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences, 2nd edn. Erlbaum, Hillsdale

Dehghani-Arani F, Rostami R, Nadali H (2013) Neurofeedback training for opiate addiction: improvement of mental health and craving. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 38:133–141. doi:10.1007/s10484-013-9218-5 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Denny BT, Kober H, Wager TD, Ochsner KN (2012) A meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies of self- and other judgments reveals a spatial gradient for mentalizing in medial prefrontal cortex. J Cogn Neurosci 24:1742–1752. doi:10.1162/jocn_a_00233 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Derogatis L (1977) The SCL-90-R Manual. Clinical Psychometric Research Unit. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Egner T, Strawson E, Gruzelier JH (2002) EEG signature and phenomenology of alpha/theta neurofeedback training versus mock feedback. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 27:261–270. doi:10.1023/A:1021063416558 CrossRefPubMed

Fahrion SL, Walters ED, Coyne L, Allen T (1992) Alterations in EEG amplitude, personality factors, and brain electrical mapping after alpha-theta brainwave training: a controlled case study of an alcoholic in recovery. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 16:547–552CrossRefPubMed

Fonagy P, Bateman A (2008) The development of borderline personality disorder—A mentalizing model. J Pers Disord 22:4–21. doi:10.1521/pedi.2008.22.1.4 CrossRefPubMed

Fonagy P, Gergely G, Jurist EL, Target M (2002) Affect regulation, mentalization, and the development of the self. Other Press, New York

Friston KJ, Frith CD, Liddle PF, Frackowiak RS (1991) Comparing functional (PET) images: the assessment of significant change. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 11:690–699. doi:10.1038/jcbfm.1991.122 CrossRefPubMed

Gaillard R et al (2009) Converging intracranial markers of conscious access. PLoS Biol 7:e61. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1000061 CrossRefPubMed

Gevensleben H et al (2014) Neurofeedback in ADHD: further pieces of the puzzle. Brain Topogr 27:20–32. doi:10.1007/s10548-013-0285-y CrossRefPubMed

Gruzelier J (2009) A theory of alpha/theta neurofeedback, creative performance enhancement, long distance functional connectivity and psychological integration. Cogn Process 10(Suppl 1):S101–S109 doi:10.1007/s10339-008-0248-5 CrossRefPubMed

Gruzelier JH (2014) EEG-neurofeedback for optimising performance. II: creativity, the performing arts and ecological validity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 44:142–158. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.11.004 CrossRefPubMed

Hausberg MC et al (2012) Is a self-rated instrument appropriate to assess mentalization in patients with mental disorders? Development and first validation of the mentalization questionnaire (MZQ). Psychother Res 22:699–709. doi:10.1080/10503307.2012.709325 CrossRefPubMed

Immordino-Yang MH, Singh V (2013) Hippocampal contributions to the processing of social emotions. Hum Brain Mapp 34:945–955. doi:10.1002/hbm.21485 CrossRefPubMed

Imperatori C et al (2013) Modifications of EEG power spectra in mesial temporal lobe during n-back tasks of increasing difficulty. A sLORETA study. Front Hum Neurosci 7:109. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00109 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Imperatori C et al (2014) Aberrant EEG functional connectivity and EEG power spectra in resting state post-traumatic stress disorder: A sLORETA study. Biol Psychol 102C:10–17. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2014.07.011 CrossRef

Imperatori C et al (2016) Default Mode Network alterations in alexithymia: an EEG power spectra and connectivity study. Sci Rep 6:36653. doi:10.1038/srep36653 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Imperatori C et al (2017) Coping food craving with neurofeedback. Evaluation of the usefulness of alpha/theta training in a non-clinical sample. Int J Psychophysiol 112:89–97 doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2016.11.010 CrossRefPubMed

Innamorati M et al (2015) Emotion regulation and mentalization in people at risk for food addiction. Behav Med:1–10 doi:10.1080/08964289.2015.1036831

Knyazev GG (2013) EEG correlates of self-referential processing. Front Hum Neurosci 7:264. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00264 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Leech R, Kamourieh S, Beckmann CF, Sharp DJ (2011) Fractionating the default mode network: distinct contributions of the ventral and dorsal posterior cingulate cortex to cognitive control. J Neurosci 31:3217–3224. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5626-10.2011 CrossRefPubMed

Linden W (2007) The Autogenic Training Method of J. H. Schultz. Guilford Press, New York

Lombardo MV, Chakrabarti B, Bullmore ET, Wheelwright SJ, Sadek SA, Suckling J, Baron-Cohen S (2010) Shared neural circuits for mentalizing about the self and others. J Cogn Neurosci 22:1623–1635. doi:10.1162/jocn.2009.21287 CrossRefPubMed

Luyten P, Fonagy P (2015) The neurobiology of mentalizing. Personal Disord 6:366–379. doi:10.1037/per0000117 CrossRefPubMed

Mars RB, Neubert FX, Noonan MP, Sallet J, Toni I, Rushworth MF (2012) On the relationship between the “default mode network” and the “social brain”. Front Hum Neurosci 6:189. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2012.00189 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Nichols TE, Holmes AP (2002) Nonparametric permutation tests for functional neuroimaging: a primer with examples. Hum Brain Mapp 15:1–25CrossRefPubMed

Pascual-Marqui RD (2007) Coherence and phase synchronization: generalization to pairs of multivariate time series, and removal of zero-lag contributions. arXiv:07061776v3 [statME] 12 July 2007. http://arxiv.org/pdf/0706.1776

Pascual-Marqui RD, Michel CM, Lehmann D (1994) Low resolution electromagnetic tomography: a new method for localizing electrical activity in the brain. Int J Psychophysiol 18:49–65. doi:10.1016/0167-8760(84)90014 CrossRefPubMed

Pascual-Marqui RD, Michel CM, Lehmann D (1995) Segmentation of brain electrical activity into microstates: model estimation and validation. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 42:658–665. doi:10.1109/10.391164 CrossRefPubMed

Pascual-Marqui RD et al (2011) Assessing interactions in the brain with exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 369:3768–3784. doi:10.1098/rsta.2011.0081 CrossRefPubMed

Peniston EG, Kulkosky PJ (1989) Alpha-theta brainwave training and beta-endorphin levels in alcoholics. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 13:271–279CrossRefPubMed

Peniston EG, Kulkosky PJ (1991) Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback therapy for Vietnam veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Medical Psychotherapy 4:47–60

Raymond J, Varney C, Parkinson LA, Gruzelier JH (2005) The effects of alpha/theta neurofeedback on personality and mood. Cogn Brain Res 23:287–292. doi:10.1016/j.cogbrainres.2004.10.023 CrossRef

Rostami R, Dehghani-Arani F (2015) Neurofeedback training as a new method in treatment of crystal methamphetamine dependent patients: a preliminary study. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 40:151–161. doi:10.1007/s10484-015-9281-1 CrossRefPubMed

Sarno I, Preti E, Prunas A, Madeddu F (2011) SCL-90-R: symptom checklist 90 R. Versione Italiana Validata e Standardizzata. Giunti O.S, Firenze

Saxby E, Peniston EG (1995) Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training: an effective treatment for male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms. J Clin Psychol 51:685–693CrossRefPubMed

Schmidt J, Martin A (2015) Neurofeedback reduces overeating episodes in female restrained eaters: a randomized controlled pilot-study. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 40:283–295. doi:10.1007/s10484-015-9297-6 CrossRefPubMed

Scott WC, Kaiser D, Othmer S, Sideroff SI (2005) Effects of an EEG biofeedback protocol on a mixed substance abusing population. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 31:455–469. doi:10.1081/ADA200056807 CrossRefPubMed

Senn S (2006) Change from baseline and analysis of covariance revisited. Stat Med 25:4334–4344. doi:10.1002/sim.2682 CrossRefPubMed

Sokhadze TM, Cannon RL, Trudeau DL (2008) EEG biofeedback as a treatment for substance use disorders: review, rating of efficacy, and recommendations for further research. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 33:1–28. doi:10.1007/s10484-007-9047-5 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Takahashi HK, Kitada R, Sasaki AT, Kawamichi H, Okazaki S, Kochiyama T, Sadato N (2015) Brain networks of affective mentalizing revealed by the tear effect: the integrative role of the medial prefrontal cortex and precuneus. Neurosci Res 101:32–43. doi:10.1016/j.neures.2015.07.005 CrossRefPubMed

Thatcher RW, North DM, Biver CJ (2014) LORETA EEG phase reset of the default mode network. Front Hum Neurosci 8:529. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00529 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Tononi G, Koch C (2008) The neural correlates of consciousness: an update. Ann N Y Acad Sci:239–261

Trudeau DL (2005) EEG biofeedback for addictive disorders—The State of the Art in 2004. J Adult Dev 12:139–146CrossRef

Tsuchiya N, Adolphs R (2007) Emotion and consciousness. Trends Cogn Sci 11:158–167. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2007.01.005 CrossRefPubMed

Vernon DJ (2005) Can neurofeedback training enhance performance? An evaluation of the evidence with implications for future research. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 30:347–364. doi:10.1007/s10484-005-8421-4 CrossRefPubMed

Title: Alpha/Theta Neurofeedback Increases Mentalization and Default Mode Network Connectivity in a Non-Clinical Sample
Authors: Claudio Imperatori
Giacomo Della Marca
Noemi Amoroso
Giulia Maestoso
Enrico Maria Valenti
Chiara Massullo
Giuseppe Alessio Carbone
Anna Contardi
Benedetto Farina
Publication date: 01-11-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Brain Topography / Issue 6/2017
Print ISSN: 0896-0267
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6792
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-017-0593-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Alpha/Theta Neurofeedback Increases Mentalization and Default Mode Network Connectivity in a Non-Clinical Sample

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 6/2017

Minimum-Norm Estimation of Motor Representations in Navigated TMS Mappings

A Simple Statistical Method for the Automatic Detection of Ripples in Human Intracranial EEG

Resisting Sleep Pressure: Impact on Resting State Functional Network Connectivity

Erratum to: Minimum-Norm Estimation of Motor Representations in Navigated TMS Mappings

Inter-study and inter-Individual Consistency and Variability of EEG/ERP Microstate Sequences in Referential Word Production

White Matter Connectivity Pattern Associate with Characteristics of Scalp EEG Signals