ANIMA: Amygdala neurofeedback training in military aggression

The ANiMA study investigates how neurofeedback training is experienced by soldiers with anger and aggression complaints.

Amygdala neurofeedback training

The ANiMA study, which stands for Amygdala Neurofeedback in Military Aggression, is testing a new method to treat anger and aggression complaints among military personnel. Previous research shows 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 are trained to regulate the activity of their amygdala, in order to get a better grip on their emotions. This is done by means of a neurofeedback training that takes place in the MRI scanner. The aim of the ANiMA study is to see how this form of emotion regulation training is experienced in the scanner.

Project overview

Target: 

The Brain Research and Innovation Centre is investigating a new method to treat anger and aggression complaints. The method consists of training the emotional activation of the amygdala through feedback with functional MRI. The aim of this research is to see how this neurofeedback training is experienced.

Target audience: 

Soldiers undergoing treatment for anger and aggression.

Time course: 

The study will run until May 2020

Results: 

The results are expected to be available in September 2020.