Investigating Electroencephalographic Predictors of Default Mode Network Anticorrelation in Healthy Adults

February 20, 2026 updated by: Drexel University

Investigating Electroencephalographic Predictors of Default Mode Network Anticorrelation for Personalized Neurofeedback

Healthy adult subjects will participate in two sessions. The first session will involve measurements of brain activity using simultaneous recordings with electroencephalography (EEG) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). During brain activity measurement, participants will perform cognitive tasks assessing attention. The second will involve fMRI-based neurofeedback during simultaneous EEG-fMRI recording. Participants will receive real-time visual feedback of signals measured from specific parts of their brain and will try to control that activity.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Neuropsychiatric conditions are increasingly being understood as disorders of intrinsic, functional interactions within and between widespread, distributed, brain networks. Given recent advances in functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data acquisition and computational analysis, it is now possible to reliably map the functional neuroanatomy of brain networks within individuals, offering a potential avenue for identifying personalized neurotherapeutic targets. However, gold standard treatments (e.g. pharmacotherapy) in current psychiatric practice were not originally designed to target specific brain network interactions and lack protocols that leverage such individual-level data. Real-time neurofeedback- whereby patients observe and learn to regulate selected aspects of their own brain activity- is a candidate approach to personally tailor the normalization of unhealthy communication within and between brain networks. However, to target the major brain networks that function abnormally in neuropsychiatric conditions, neurofeedback relies on fMRI, which is an expensive procedure involving a complex setup and patient burden. The goal of this project is to develop an electroencephalography (EEG) "fingerprint" of fMRI network dynamics so that a neurofeedback system based on EEG (electrodes placed on the scalp) alone can be used to precisely target interactions within and between brain networks. Because EEG devices can be portable and offer relatively simple setup in flexible settings, this research could enable a scalable form of network-based neurofeedback training that patients could regularly access. Aim 1 of this research is identify an optimal model of EEG features that are predictive of fMRI-based default mode network (DMN) "antagonism" within individuals. The investigators focus on this DMN antagonism because it is a major feature that is relevant to cognitive dysfunction in psychiatry disease at a transdiagnostic level. The investigators will collect high-quality, simultaneous EEG-fMRI data in 24 healthy adults (>100 mins of sampling per participant), including three conditions: (1) resting state, (2) continuous task performance, and (3) continuous fMRI-based neurofeedback from DMN antagonism states. The investigators will apply machine learning-based methods to identify an optimal mapping between EEG signal components and fMRI-based DMN antagonism. Further, the investigators will determine how much individual-level EEG-fMRI sampling is needed to successfully predict DMN antagonism from EEG. Aim 2 of the research is to test whether EEG markers of DMN antagonism are predictive of cognitive task performance fluctuations within individuals. As such, the findings could offer validation of the behavioral relevance of an EEG neurofeedback system that would target DMN antagonism. If successful, the work can lead to development of an accessible, computational psychiatry tool that can be tested in clinical conditions in which DMN antagonism (and related cognitive function) is affected, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression and schizophrenia.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
24

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Pennsylvania
      • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
        • Drexel University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 35 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age between 18-35

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of psychiatric or neurological disorder
  • contraindication for MRI

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Neurofeedback
Subjects will undergo one session where they will visualize real-time feedback of signals recorded from their brains.
Behavioral: Neurofeedback
Participants will visualize real-time feedback of signals recorded from their brains as measured with functional MRI.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Association Between EEG Measurements and Default Mode Network Brain Activity Measured With fMRI
Time Frame: Two sessions 3 to 62 days
The investigators determined the degree to which features within EEG signals can approximate fMRI (default mode network activation) while participants performed cognitive tasks and brain activity was recorded with simultaneous EEG-fMRI. Model predictions (EEG prediction of fMRI) within each participant were generated from multiple EEG features, including spectral power in different frequency bands (Theta: 4-7 Hz, Alpha: 8-12 Hz, Beta1: 13-22 Hz, Beta2: 23-29 Hz, Gamma: 30-50 Hz). The average temporal correlation across the two sessions was computed between EEG and fMRI. A higher correlation indicated that EEG was more predictive of fMRI, whereas a lower correlation indicated EEG was less predictive of fMRI.
Two sessions 3 to 62 days

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Drexel University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 6, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
February 24, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
February 24, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
October 18, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 21, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 24, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 12, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 20, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2208009389
  • 1R21MH127384-01A1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

The data generated from this study will become publicly available. After de-identifying and anonymizing all neuroimaging, electrophysiological and behavioral data, we plan to share data via the National Institute of Mental Health Data Archive.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Availability: April 2024 until 2030

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Publicly available

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • ANALYTIC_CODE

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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