Military Personnel with Traumatic Stress Show Changes in Large-Scale Brain Networks after Use of a Closed-Loop Neurotechnology (I7.009)

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate changes in network connectivity on fMRI associated with the use of High-resolution, relational, resonance-based, electroencephalic mirroring (HIRREM®), among subjects enrolled in a pilot study for symptoms of military-related traumatic stress (MTS). Background: Traumatic stress is a major concern in military populations. HIRREM is a closed-loop acoustic stimulation technology that identifies dominant brain frequencies and translates them in real time into audible tones of variable pitch and timing, to support self-optimization of brain activity. We report interim pre and post-HIRREM fMRI results in 12 subjects with symptoms of MTS. Methods: Twelve male service members (10) or Veterans (2), median age 43.5 (29-50), with symptoms of MTS lasting from 2-12 years, received 20 (17-21) HIRREM sessions over 12 days. Outcomes included resting brain MRI for network connectivity analysis. Results: Interim network analysis was performed on whole-brain, resting MRI data, with a focus on the Central Executive Network (CEN), Salience Network (SN), and Default Mode Network (DMN), community structure. Intervention-related trends are seen in all networks. Overall the DMN had the highest consistency across the group for the three sub-networks, and also exhibited intervention-related reductions in frontal connectivity and increases in posterior connectivity. The CEN showed an overall increase in connectivity throughout the network following the intervention. The SN exhibited substantial increases in the connectivity to the frontal lobes and reduced connectivity to insula. A permutation statistic showed statistical trends for changes in all three networks (DMN, p = 0.11, CEN, p = 0.059, and SN, p = 0.14). Conclusions: These interim results suggest substantial shifts in connectivity across three key large-scale brain networks associated with the use of HIRREM. Confirmation of these findings in this, and future studies, may provide important insights into functional changes associated with beneficial effects of HIRREM, as well as functional disturbances underlying MTS.

Disclosure: Dr. Tegeler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tegeler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cook has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lee has received personal compensation for with activities with Brain State Technologies, LLC., as an employee. Dr. Shaltout has nothing to disclose. Dr. Laurienti has nothing to disclose.