Real-time Functional Imaging and Neurofeedback

Feb. 12-13, 2015

Gainesville, FL

Welcome

    

The conference is being held at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center. The hotel address is 1714 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, FL 32607.

The scientific program has been posted under: http://reg.conferences.dce.ufl.edu/docs/rtfin/agenda.pdf.

 

On behalf of Dr. Christine Schmidt, the Chair of the Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, and Dr. Cammy Abernathy, the Dean of the College of Engineering, University of Florida, and the organizing committee of this conference, I welcome you to the second international conference on Real-time Functional Imaging and Neurofeedback.

Recent advances in neuroimaging have allowed unequaled observation of brain function, paving the way for the rise of brain-machine interfaces, including neurofeedback. Studies with online feedback of brain activity from real-time functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rtfMRI), functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), Electroencephalography (EEG), Magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Electrocorticogram (ECoG) have shown evidence for inducing changes in behavior and neuroplasticity. Healthy humans and patients can be trained to self-regulate areas of the brain responsible for sensation and perception, movement, pain, cognition and emotions. This novel approach is currently being used as a research tool for studying the brain, but has additionally shown promise for treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, stroke, and chronic tinnitus. In February 2012, we founded the first conference on rtfMRI neurofeedback, hosted by Prof. Dr. Roger Gassert and Dr. James Sulzer, in Zurich, Switzerland, which brought together 150 international researchers and leaders in the field, resulting in an influential journal paper and the creation of a rtfMRI community. This conference will continue on this successful path by opening up the conference to all modalities of imaging for the purpose of neurofeedback and Brain-Computer Interfaces research. The conference aims to bring together neuroscientists, engineers, computer scientists and clinicians interested in research and application of this emerging approach. To broaden perspectives and facilitate cross-pollination, the content of this version of the conference will additionally include modalities such as EEG/MEG, fNIRS and ECoG.

We look forward to your visit to Gainesville and participation in this conference.

Ranganatha Sitaram, PhD, ME
Primary Faculty | J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Florida
Affiliate Faculty: Department of Psychology, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory
University of Florida | PO Box 116131 | 1275 Center Dr, J284 | Gainesville, FL 32611-6131
Ph: 352.273.5876, Email: ranganatha.sitaram@bme.ufl.edu
Homepage: http://www.bme.ufl.edu/labs/sitaram/
 
Visiting Professorships
Institute of Medical Psychology & Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tuebingen, Germany.
Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum, India.