ANiMA: Amygdala neurofeedback training in military aggression
The ANiMA study investigated how neurofeedback training is experienced by soldiers with anger and aggression complaints.
Introduction
The ANiMA study, which stands for Amygdala Neurofeedback in Military Aggression, investigated a new method to treat anger and aggression complaints among military personnel. Previous research showed that these complaints are strongly related to the activity of the amygdala, an area in the brain that plays an important role in the development and expression of emotions. In the ANiMA study, soldiers were trained to regulate the activity of their amygdala, in order to get a better grip on their emotions. This was achieved by means of a neurofeedback training that took place in the MRI scanner. The aim of the ANiMA study was to see how this form of emotion regulation training was experienced in the scanner.
Project Overview
Objective:
The Brain Research and Innovation Centre investigated a new method to treat anger and aggression complaints. The method consisted of training the emotional activation of the amygdala through feedback with functional MRI.
Target population:
Soldiers undergoing treatment for anger and aggression.
Timeframe:
The study was completed in 2020.
Results:
The results are published in the dissertation of dr. T. Varkevisser.