
About the Mindful Brain Project
Given the limited effectiveness of current treatments for approximately 50% of adolescents with depression, our research group has developed a mindfulness-based real-time fMRI neurofeedback (mbNF) protocol. This project examines mbNF as a novel intervention for adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). The study aims to determine if mbNF changes DMN connectivity. Ultimately, this research seeks to establish mbNF as a promising intervention for adolescent depression and to identify optimal dosing and neural targets for future treatments.
We are still recruiting for this study!
If you have or know a teen that is between ages 13-18, is currently experiencing depression, and lives in the greater Boston area or the greater New York/New Jersey area, they may be eligible. Participants may be compensated up to $484 in total.
Interested parents or teens can fill out the following interest form: https://redcap.link/mindfulbrain
New York participants can also email mindfulbrain@nyspi.columbia.edu at or call 646-818-0602
Boston participants can also email mindfulbrain@northeastern.edu or call 617-870-4899
This project was made possible by funding from the National Institute of Mental Health. The Clinical Trials study record can be found here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05617495

Publications
- Bloom, P. A., Pagliaccio, D., Zhang, J., Bauer, C. C., Kyler, M., Greene, K. D., … & Auerbach, R. P. (2023). Mindfulness-based real-time fMRI neurofeedback: a randomized controlled trial to optimize dosing for depressed adolescents. BMC psychiatry, 23(1), 757.
Collaborators

Randy Auerbach
Columbia University

David Pagliaccio
Columbia University

Paul Bloom
Columbia University