Neurofeedback is a complex learning scenario as the task consists of trying out mental strategies while processing a feedback signal that signifies activation in the brain area to be self-regulated and acts as a potential reward signal. In an attempt to dissect these subcomponents, we obtained whole-brain networks associated with efficient self-regulation in two paradigms: Parallel, where the task was performed concurrently, combining feedback with strategy execution; and Serial, where the task was performed consecutively, separating feedback processing from strategy execution. Twenty participants attempted to control their anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) using fMRI neurofeedback in 18 sessions over 2 weeks using cognitive and emotional mental strategies. We analyzed whole-brain fMRI activations in the neurofeedback training runs with the largest aMCC activation for the Serial and Parallel paradigms. The equal length of the strategy execution and the feedback processing periods in the Serial paradigm allows a description of the two task subcomponents with equal power. The resulting activation maps were spatially correlated with functionally annotated intrinsic connectivity brain maps. Brain activation in the Parallel condition correlates with the basal ganglia network, the cingulo-opercular network (CON), and the frontoparietal control network (FPCN); brain activation in the Serial strategy execution condition with the default mode network (DMN), the FPCN, and the visual processing network; while brain activation in the Serial feedback processing condition predominantly with the CON, the DMN, and the FPCN. Additional comparisons indicate that basal ganglia activation is characteristic to the Parallel paradigm, while supramarginal gyrus and superior temporal gyrus activations are characteristic to the Serial paradigm. The multifaceted view of the subcomponents allows describing the cognitive processes associated with strategy execution and feedback processing independently in the Serial feedback task and as combined processes in the multitasking scenario of the conventional parallel feedback task.

中文翻译：

---

在并行或串行范例中执行有效fMRI神经反馈训练的策略执行和反馈处理的基础脑网络

神经反馈是一个复杂的学习场景，因为该任务包括尝试心理策略，同时处理一个反馈信号，该信号表示大脑区域的激活是自我调节的，并且是潜在的奖励信号。为了剖析这些子组件，我们在两种范式中获得了与有效自我调节相关的全脑网络：并行，其中任务是同时执行的，将反馈与策略执行相结合；和串行，任务是连续执行的，将反馈处理与策略执行分开。20名参与者试图在2个星期内使用认知和情感心理策略在18个疗程中使用fMRI神经反馈控制其前中弓皮层（aMCC）。我们分析了神经反馈训练运行中全脑fMRI激活，其中串行和并行范例的最大aMCC激活。串行范例中策略执行时间和反馈处理时间的长度相等，因此可以用相同的能力描述两个任务子组件。所得的激活图在空间上与功能注释的内在连通性脑图相关。平行状态下的大脑激活与基底神经节网络，顶突神经网络（CON）和额顶额叶控制网络（FPCN）相关。在默认策略网络（DMN），FPCN和视觉处理网络下，在串行策略执行条件下进行大脑激活；而在串行反馈处理条件下，大脑的激活主要是通过CON，DMN，和FPCN。其他比较表明，基底神经节激活是平行范式的特征，而上臀回和颞上回激活是串行范式的特征。子组件的多角度视图允许在串行反馈任务中独立描述与策略执行和反馈处理相关的认知过程，并在常规并行反馈任务的多任务场景中描述为组合过程。