Frontostriatal circuitry as a target for fMRI-based neurofeedback interventions: A systematic review

Abstract

Dysregulated frontostriatal circuitries are viewed as a common target for the treatment of aberrant behaviors in various psychiatric and neurological disorders. Accordingly, experimental neurofeedback paradigms have been applied to modify the frontostriatal circuitry. The human frontostriatal circuitry is topographically and functionally organized into the “limbic,” the “associative,” and the “motor” subsystems underlying a variety of affective, cognitive, and motor functions. We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding functional magnetic resonance imaging-based neurofeedback studies that targeted brain activations within the frontostriatal circuitry. Seventy-nine published studies were included in our survey. We assessed the efficacy of these studies in terms of imaging findings of neurofeedback intervention as well as behavioral and clinical outcomes. Furthermore, we evaluated whether the neurofeedback targets of the studies could be assigned to the identifiable frontostriatal subsystems. The majority of studies that targeted frontostriatal circuitry functions focused on the anterior cingulate cortex, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and the supplementary motor area. Only a few studies (n = 14) targeted the connectivity of the frontostriatal regions. However, post-hoc analyses of connectivity changes were reported in more cases (n = 32). Neurofeedback has been frequently used to modify brain activations within the frontostriatal circuitry. Given the regulatory mechanisms within the closed loop of the frontostriatal circuitry, the connectivity-based neurofeedback paradigms should be primarily considered for modifications of this system. The anatomical and functional organization of the frontostriatal system needs to be considered in decisions pertaining to the neurofeedback targets.

Neurovascular Correlates of Cobalamin, Folate, and Homocysteine in Dementia

“…The finding coincides with previous reports that fronto-subcortical circuits are accountable for the cognitive deficit in SIVD [24,32] and vulnerable to Cbl deficiency [2]. Basal ganglia and medial prefrontal cortex are known for their critical roles in cognitive processes such as motivation and goaldirected behavior [25]. Since both Cbl deficiency [33] and SIVD [24] can lead to executive dysfunction, Cbl supplement may be of clinical interest to improve dysexecutive syndrome among those affected.…”

“…After noting the widespread correlation between serum levels of Cbl and CBF in SIVD patients, we explored the potential moderating role of Cbl in the fronto-subcortical circuits that were previously shown to interconnect cognitive hubs in SIVD [24,25]. Among the frontal ROIs listed in Table 2, only the medial prefrontal cortex exhibited CBF correlation with the ipsilateral basal ganglia and was entered in moderation analysis.…”

Altered Regional Brain Spontaneous Activity and Functional Connectivity in Patients of Non-Acute Subcortical Stroke With versus Without Cognitive Impairment: A Resting-State fMRI Study.

“…Additionally, mPFC in anterior DMN performed decreased FC even in subcortical or brainstem strokes [42]. Divergent methods have been used to explore brain network connections, but mPFC is related to the striato-pallidothalamo-cortical circuit and frontostriatal circuitry and may result from subcortical lesions affecting connectivity between the PFC regions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and thalamic nuclei [43,44].…”

Aberrant Functional Connectivity of the Salience Network in Adult Patients with Tic Disorders: A Resting-State fMRI Study

“…Previous neuroimaging studies have focused mainly on dysregulations of the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit as the core pathology in tic generation and execution ( Albin and Mink, 2006 ; Ganos et al, 2013 ; Hartmann and Worbe, 2018 ). This circuit, comprising motor, affective, and limbic subsystems, plays a significant role in cognitive, emotional, and motor control ( Bonelli et al, 2007 ; Orth et al, 2022 ). Changes within the CSTC circuits and cerebello-thalamo-cortical networks were also observed at the metabolic level in [ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging data.…”