From October 4–7, 2026, the international neuroimaging community gathered at Campus Biotech in Geneva for the Real-Time Functional Imaging and Neurofeedback (rtFIN 2026) conference which was organized by Tomas Ros (CIBM EEG HUG UNIGE Section), Dimitri Van De Ville (CIBM SP EPFL UNIGE Section), Nicolas Gninenko (EPFL), Olaf Blanke (EPFL), Patrik Vuilleumier (CIBM MRI UNIGE Section).
The four-day meeting kicked off with a welcome by Tomas Ros and Pina Marziliano, and showcased the latest breakthroughs in closed-loop brain modulation across both healthy cohorts and clinical populations.
Inspiring Plenary & Keynote Lectures
Each day of the conference was anchored by world-renowned keynote speakers who highlighted the translational and technological breadth of modern neurofeedback—spanning non-invasive modalities (fMRI, EEG, MEG, and fNIRS) as well as emerging invasive approaches (iEEG and DBS):
- Opening Plenary: Andrew Nicholson (University of Ottawa) set the stage with “From Mechanisms to Precision Treatment: Charting the Future of Neurofeedback in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.”
- Computational & Multimodal Frontiers: Aurelio Cortese (ATR, Kyoto / Sungkyunkwan University) explored “How reinforcement learning and metacognition shape brain self-regulation,” followed in the afternoon by Patrícia Figueiredo (ULisboa) presenting “From EEG to fMRI and back: Multimodal insights for neurofeedback intervention.”
- Invasive BCIs & Optical Neuroimaging: Oliver Bichsel (University Hospital Zurich) bridged neurosurgery and engineering with “Invasive Neurofeedback and Brain-Computer-Interfaces: A Neurosurgeon’s Perspective,” while Ann-Christine Ehlis (University of Tübingen) highlighted clinical translation in “fNIRS-based neurofeedback: Applications in psychiatry.”
- EEG Precision & Clinical Biomarkers: Elaine Astrand opened the final day examining “Insight into Feature Modulation, Feedback Effects, and Learner Prediction in EEG Neurofeedback,” followed by the Synapsy Keynote from Indrit Bègue, who presented “Apathy in schizophrenia: Looking for answers in the cerebellum with neuroimaging and brain stimulation.”
Deep-Dive Afternoon Symposia
A centerpiece of the rtFIN 2026 program was the structure of the afternoon symposia, which ran across three dedicated parallel tracks each day from Monday through Wednesday:
- Track A – Mechanisms, Predictors & Causal Inference: Sessions tackled fundamental questions on defining neurofeedback success (Meghan Martz & Stefanie Russman Block), improving the causal mapping of human brain function (Aurelio Cortese), and identifying individual and frontoparietal network predictors of training success (Jessica Peter & Amelie Haugg).
- Track B – Multivariate Decoding, AI & Next-Gen Feedback Signals: Researchers explored cutting-edge computational paradigms, including real-time multivariate fMRI decoding (Nitzan Lubianiker), scalable brain decoding for real-world self-regulation (Miroslava Hofmanová), and semantic neurofeedback of emotions (David Linden).
- Track C – Acquisition, Signal Quality, Real-Time Tooling & BCI: Technical and methodological sessions focused on simultaneous EEG-fMRI challenges (Frédéric Grouiller), translational applications for fNIRS training (David Mehler), and new open-source advances in real-time M/EEG processing such as MNE-RT (Payam Sadeghi) and GEDAI (Tomas Ros).
Vibrant Oral & Poster Sessions and Community Networking
Alongside the keynotes and symposia, morning oral sessions—chaired by Dimitri Van De Ville, Nicolas Gninenko, Olaf Blanke, Patrik Vuilleumier, and Sara Stampacchia—featured novel findings ranging from 9.4T laminar fMRI and OPM-MEG motor control in stroke patients to vagal pathways linking reward activity to peripheral immunity.
Over lunch each day, three bustling Poster Sessions (A, B, and C) in the Campus Biotech Forum gave early-career researchers and established labs a lively platform for scientific exchange. Attendees also enjoyed optional tours of the Campus Biotech neuroimaging facilities, an opening networking aperitif at Pavillon Barton, and a memorable conference dinner on the shores of Lake Geneva at Restaurant La Perle du Lac.
Revisit the Program & Photo Galleries
Missed a session or want to revisit the memories from Geneva? The complete conference and poster program PDFs, along with photo galleries from all four days and the social dinner, are available on the official website: rtfin2026.cibm.ch
Thank you to all the sponsors, speakers, symposium chairs, poster presenters, organisers, and to our amazing volunteers Yingqi Huang, Timothy Piton, Camille Marchal, Riccardo Galli, Soraya Brosset, Nicole Binazzi and Flavia Petruso. who made rtFIN 2026 an unforgettable milestone for the real-time neuroimaging community!