Neurofeedback: new territories and neurocognitive mechanisms of endogenous neuromodulation

Neurofeedback (NF) is endogenous neuromodulation of circumscribed brain circuitry. While its use of real-time brain activity in a closed-loop system is similar to brain–computer interfaces, instead of controlling an external device like the latter, the goal of NF is to change a targeted brain function. In this special issue on NF, we present current and future methods for extracting and manipulating neural function, how these methods may reveal new insights about brain function, applications, and rarely discussed ethical considerations of guiding and interpreting the brain activity of others. Together, the articles in this issue outline the possibilities of NF use and impact in the real world, poising to influence the development of more effective and personalized NF protocols, improving the understanding of underlying psychological and neurological mechanisms and enhancing treatment precision for various neurological and psychiatric conditions. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Neurofeedback: new territories and neurocognitive mechanisms of endogenous neuromodulation’.