Repeated Real-time Biofeedback With 7-Tesla MRI for Treatment of Depression
University of Oxford
60 participants
Jun 1, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Previous work demonstrated that individuals are able to self-regulate their ventral tegmental area (VTA) activity using real-time biofeedback. The current study expands this approach to a larger sample with repeated training sessions to more robustly characterize the effects of VTA modulation. The study will assess change in mood and motivation-related measures, as well as neural activity and connectivity changes.
Eligibility
Plain Language Summary
Simplified for easier understanding
This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.
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Interventions
The active biofeedback session will be done within the 7T MRI. It will include MOTIVATE and active rest trials. During each MOTIVATE trial, subjects will be instructed to generate a heightened state of motivation. Subjects will simultaneously view a progress bar on the screen during MOTIVATE trials that represents their VTA activity and they will be trained to try to increase the level of the bar by motivating themselves.
The sham biofeedback session resembles the active condition, however, the progress bar seen during the MOTIVATE trials will represent yoked sham values.
Locations(1)
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NCT07694076