Project Summary

Fumiko Hoeft, M.D., Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2008) of Stanford University, plans to further develop the methodology of rtfMRI and extend previous findings. Dr. Hoeft will examine whether response inhibition can be improved by rtfMRI feedback training of the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC). Individuals with fragile X syndrome, a genetic developmental disorder with known executive function (response inhibition) deficits and right fronto-striatal dysfunction may be an ideal condition to examine the training effect. rtfMRI training is thought to be a more causal approach to typical fMRI studies, hence the findings will help understand the underlying neural mechanisms of fragile X syndrome and the role of right VLPFC in response inhibition. Further, rtfMRI feedback training to improve response inhibition may be applied to various neuropsychiatric and developmental disorders in the future. Finally, the proposed research may form the basis to test whether other cognitive functions such as memory can be improved using rtfMRI feedback training.

Program Area: PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS\Fragile X Syndrome

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