Reducing Suicide-Specific Rumination in Veterans Using Real-time Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Neurofeedback

Suicide is much higher in Veterans compared to non-Veterans and thus remains a major health crisis in the VA, but there are few treatments available that directly target core features of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Rumination is the strong tendency to engage in self-critical repetitive thinking that is often difficult to interrupt and is associated with suicide attempts and the transition from suicidal ideation to intent above and beyond other suicide risk factors. Meta-analyses indicate that abnormalities in brain regions comprising the "default mode network," which play a role in daydreaming or mind-wandering, contribute to the maintenance of rumination. Although functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have provided key insights into the neurobiology of suicide, there has been little direct impact on clinical care thus far. With the advent of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback, however, there is now the potential to implement personalized strategies for altering brain activity associated with rumination to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In the proposed study the investigators will determine the acceptability and feasibility of using rt-fMRI neurofeedback to reduce suicide-specific rumination, defined as "repetitive mental fixation on one's suicidal thoughts and intentions" in a transdiagnostic sample of 15 Veterans at elevated risk of suicide. The investigators will also assess pre- to post-treatment changes in measures of suicide-specific rumination, disability, functional impairment, and quality of life in Veterans with a suicide attempt history following 2 rt-fMRI neurofeedback sessions. Veterans will be provided signals from the brain to identify mental strategies (e.g., cognitive reappraisal) for altering brain connectivity. During a subsequent "transfer" period Veterans will be asked to utilize the mental strategy that worked best for altering this connectivity, but without receiving any neurofeedback signals from the brain. Post-treatment clinical assessments will occur following each of the 2 rt-fMRI neurofeedback sessions and at 1 month following the second fMRI neurofeedback session. The novelty of the proposed work is underscored by the paucity of work using rt-fMRI neurofeedback in a Veteran population and the lack of studies to date targeting a brain network to reduce suicide-specific rumination. In this study the investigators will test the following specific aims: (1) to determine the acceptability and feasibility of implementing rt-fMRI neurofeedback in a Veteran population experiencing suicide-specific rumination; (2) to identify changes in suicide-specific rumination following rt-fMRI neurofeedback and (3) to identify changes in functional impairment and quality of life following rt-fMRI neurofeedback. The proposed study is consistent with the mission of RR&D to maximize Veterans' functional independence, quality of life and participation in their lives and community.