ECPN Student Poster Contestant: Testing the Efficacy of Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback in Training Daily Smokers to Upregulate Neural Response to Nondrug Rewards

Although the use of contingency management strategies to facilitate smoking cessation is widespread, recent research has found that nondrug rewards (e.g. money) are least effective when smokers are faced with the temptation to smoke. Specifically, the neural response to nondrug rewards is blunted in smokers who anticipate an opportunity to smoke soon, which in turn corresponds with a decrease in willingness to refrain from smoking in order to earn a monetary incentive. The current proof-of-concept study utilized innovative real-time fMRI neurofeedback methods to test whether nicotine dependent individuals can be trained to upregulate brain responses to nondrug rewards. Daily smokers (n = 46, age range = 20 – 44, >5 cigarettes per day) completed the study over the course of two sessions. Those in the intervention group (n = 23, 6 female) were trained to control brain responses using information presented to them about ongoing brain activity; specifically, a dynamic “thermometer” which reflected changes in reward-related fMRI signal intensity. The control group (n = 23, 5 female) underwent a near identical procedure but received no neurofeedback. Results will be presented on the efficacy of real-time fMRI neurofeedback as a technique for training smokers to enhance neural responses to nondrug rewards. We will also test whether those in the intervention group can maintain the ability to volitionally enhance reward-related brain activity in the absence of neurofeedback. The potential for this research to inform our understanding of cognitive influences on neural function and self-regulation in smokers, as well as how this novel approach may aid the optimization of smoking cessation and relapse prevention programs for broader use, will be discussed.