In this work we present a new open source software package offering a unified
framework for the real-time adaptation of fMRI stimulation procedures. The
software provides a straightforward setup and highly flexible approach to
adapt fMRI paradigms while the experiment is running. The general framework
comprises the inclusion of parameters from subject’s compliance, such as
directing gaze to visually presented stimuli and physiological fluctuations,
like blood pressure or pulse. Additionally, this approach yields possibilities
to investigate complex scientific questions, for example the influence of EEG
rhythms or fMRI signals results themselves. To prove the concept of this
approach, we used our software in a usability example for an fMRI experiment
where the presentation of emotional pictures was dependent on the subject’s
gaze position. This can have a significant impact on the results. So far, if
this is taken into account during fMRI data analysis, it is commonly done by
the post-hoc removal of erroneous trials. Here, we propose an a priori
adaptation of the paradigm during the experiment’s runtime. Our fMRI findings
clearly show the benefits of an adapted paradigm in terms of statistical power
and higher effect sizes in emotion-related brain regions. This can be of
special interest for all experiments with low statistical power due to a
limited number of subjects, a limited amount of time, costs or available data
to analyze, as is the case with real-time fMRI
