Self-regulation of the brain's right frontal Beta rhythm using a brain-computer interface

• Published in: bioRxiv
• Main Authors: Enz, Nadja, Schmidt, Jemima, Nolan, Kate, Mitchell, Matthew, Sandra Alvarez Gomez, Alkayyali, Miryam, Pierce Cambay, Gippert, Magdalena, Whelan, Robert, Ruddy, Kathy L
• Format: Paper
• Language: English
• Published: Cold Spring Harbor Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 22.11.2021
• Subjects: Brain; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive ability; Computer applications; Cortex (frontal); EEG; Feedback; Implants; Oscillations
• DOI: 10.1101/2021.10.07.463487

Neural oscillations, or brain rhythms, fluctuate in a manner reflecting ongoing behavior. Whether these fluctuations are instrumental or epiphenomenal to the behavior remains elusive. Attempts to experimentally manipulate neural oscillations exogenously using non-invasive brain stimulation have shown some promise, but difficulty with tailoring stimulation parameters to individuals has hindered progress in this field. We demonstrate here using electroencephalography (EEG) neurofeedback in a brain-computer interface that human participants (n=44) learned over multiple sessions across a 6-day period to self-regulate their Beta rhythm (13-20 Hz) over the right inferior frontal cortex (rIFC). The modulation was evident only during neurofeedback task performance but did not lead to offline alteration of Beta rhythm characteristics at rest, nor to changes in subsequent cognitive behavior. Likewise, a control group (n=38) who underwent training of the Alpha rhythm (8-12 Hz) did not exhibit behavioral changes. Although the right frontal Beta rhythm has been repeatedly implicated as a key component of the brain's inhibitory control system, the present data suggest that its manipulation offline prior to cognitive task performance does not result in behavioral change. Thus, this form of neurofeedback training of the tonic Beta rhythm would not serve as a useful therapeutic target for disorders with dysfunctional inhibitory control as their basis. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Footnotes * Versions accessed prior to 22-Nov-2021 contained a data error; manuscript file (including figures) and supplementary material updated.