# Neurofeedback and Neural Plasticity of Self-Processing and Affect Regulation Circuits in Suicide Attempting Adolescents

> **NIH NIH R61** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2020 · $1,032,349

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This phased innovation application in response to RFA-MH-18-704 seeks support for an initial (R61) 2-year
phase for milestone-driven testing of neural targets of intervention by a novel neurofeedback (NF) treatment.
Using NF, we will target the neurocircuitry of affect regulation and self-processing in adolescents (ages 13-17)
who have current significant suicide ideation and a recent suicide attempt. Attaining our proposed milestones
would trigger support for three additional years (R33 phase) to confirm target engagement in a larger sample
with random assignment to active NF intervention vs. Placebo NF, to assess the relationships between target
engagement and changes in functional outcomes. Affect dysregulation and abnormal self-processing predict
repeated suicide attempts in at risk populations. They are insufficiently addressed by medications or behavioral
treatments. NF training elicits enduring improvements in those dimensions in prior Placebo controlled NF
trials. To further develop this intervention, we seek to first identify the neural target best engaged by NF during
a critical period for affect regulation and self-processing. Our pilot data and theoretical considerations support
the overarching hypothesis that increased amygdala or dACC activity and their functional connectivity (FC)
with the middle prefrontal cortex (mPFC) represent treatable targets via NF training. In the initial R61 phase
we will estimate the effect size of intervention-related increases in dACC and amygdala activity and their FC
with mPFC during self-processing and affect regulation task in 20 youth per loci with high-quality imaging and
clinical data. The goal of this phase is to determine which loci is best up-regulated in adolescents and is
associated with functional targets improvements. If we meet our proposed milestone that increased dACC or
amygdala activity and their FC with the mPFC exceed a specific effect size and account for an appreciable
proportion of the variance in affect regulation and self-processing behavior, we would proceed to the R33
phase. In the R33 phase, we will expand the study to test 70 adolescents randomized to active NF intervention
(dACC or Amygdala) or to a placebo NF. For both phases, we will obtain state-of-the-art magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) data with a primary focus on functional MRI. Our specific aims in the R33 phase are to confirm
target engagement in the groups randomized to active vs. the Placebo NF group; to examine the relationship
between changes in the neural target and clinical improvements in affect regulation, self-processing and
suicide ideation; and to identify mediators of improved functional outcomes. Evidence supporting the validity
of dACC or amygdala circuits as a modifiable neural target would then support future studies to further
enhance the effectiveness of neurofeedback in adolescents. Importantly, even negative results will be
informative regarding the location and direction of neu...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9958601
- **Project number:** 1R61MH122634-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** Karina Mendoza Quevedo
- **Activity code:** R61 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,032,349
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-06-22 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9958601

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9958601, Neurofeedback and Neural Plasticity of Self-Processing and Affect Regulation Circuits in Suicide Attempting Adolescents (1R61MH122634-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9958601. Licensed CC0.

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