Real time BOLD functional MRI neuro-feedback affects functional connectivity

Functional connectivity in the resting state based on BOLD functional MRI (fMRI) has been used mainly to observe brain networks while subjects `do nothing´. The same principle, however, can be used for any other steady-state brain condition. In this study, we compared the connectivity of the motor area during simple finger tapping with and without real time neuro-feedback of the activation in the hand motor area. The presence of the neuro-feedback not only induces correlations between the visual and motor areas, but also increases basal ganglia involvement and bilateral motor cortex connectivity.