UROP Project

Rt-fMRI neurofeedback-guided cognitive reappraisal training for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, & schizophrenia.

Real-time fMRI is a novel technique that can be used to learn voluntary self-control over specific brain regions. In our studies, patients with different psychopathologies learn to self-regulate brain areas associated with the regulation of emotions by using specific cognitive strategies used to regulate their emotions. Emotion regulation has been shown to be impaired in different psychopathologies such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. Training emotion regulation strategies (e.g. cognitive reappraisal) can alleviate symptoms by giving patients a technique to adaptively process difficult situations and thoughts in everyday life. Aim of our neurofeedback training is that patients learn to use cognitive reappraisal strategies faster and more effectively by receiving objective neurofeedback about their regulatory success from regions within the emotion regulation network.

Task

During the internship, you will get an insight into state-of-the-art research in the field of functional MRI based neurofeedback. You will work with emerging methodologies employed in BCIs, and you will have the opportunity to gain experience in many tasks involved in running an fMRI experiment. Depending on your interests, you have the possibility to contribute by completing a small project, tailored around these tasks.

Requirements

Previous experience with fMRI data collection/analysis is helpful, but not a must.