| Popis: |
The brain’s arousal state is controlled by several neuromodulatory nuclei known to substantially influence cognition and mental well-being. Here, we investigate whether human participants can gain volitional control of this arousal state using a new pupil-based neurofeedback approach that targets the locus coeruleus (LC), a key regulator of arousal and autonomic function. Our approach inverts the mechanism that LC causally drives pupil dynamics if light conditions are controlled. We show that pupil-based neurofeedback enables participants to acquire volitional control of pupil size. Applying pupil self-regulation systematically modulates activity of the LC and other structures involved in arousal control. Further, it modulates cardiovascular measures such as heart rate, and behavioural and psychophysiological responses during an oddball task closely linked to LC activity dynamics. We provide evidence that pupil-based neurofeedback makes the brain’s arousal system accessible to volitional control, a finding that has tremendous potential for translation to behavioral and clinical applications across various domains, including stress-related and anxiety disorders. |
