The study by deCharms et al. demonstrates that individuals can learn to control the activation of specific brain regions, particularly the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), which is involved in pain perception and regulation. By using real-time functional MRI (rfMRI) to guide training, subjects were able to voluntarily increase or decrease activation in the rACC, leading to changes in their perception of pain. This effect was not observed in control groups who did not receive valid rfMRI information or those trained with rfMRI data from different brain regions. Chronic pain patients who underwent similar training reported significant reductions in their baseline pain levels. The findings suggest that rfMRI-based training could provide a new approach for treating chronic pain by up-regulating the brain's pain control system through targeted neuroplasticity.The study by deCharms et al. demonstrates that individuals can learn to control the activation of specific brain regions, particularly the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), which is involved in pain perception and regulation. By using real-time functional MRI (rfMRI) to guide training, subjects were able to voluntarily increase or decrease activation in the rACC, leading to changes in their perception of pain. This effect was not observed in control groups who did not receive valid rfMRI information or those trained with rfMRI data from different brain regions. Chronic pain patients who underwent similar training reported significant reductions in their baseline pain levels. The findings suggest that rfMRI-based training could provide a new approach for treating chronic pain by up-regulating the brain's pain control system through targeted neuroplasticity.