Podcast: Neurofeedback Response Subtypes Predict Depression Treatment Outcomes

4/14/2025

This research investigated the effectiveness of real-time fMRI neurofeedback (rtfMRI-NF) for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) by analyzing whole-brain activity patterns during training. The study identified distinct subtypes of brain activation during self-regulation and responses to feedback, which were significantly associated with symptom reduction. Notably, the clinical response was more related to these large-scale brain patterns than the activity within the targeted amygdala region. These findings suggest that successful neurofeedback therapy for MDD involves specific patterns of brain activity, including control regions and areas related to self-referential thinking. The research highlights the potential for tailoring neurofeedback training to these subtypes to enhance its therapeutic impact on depression.