QEEG:

I. The brain produces electrical signals in a rhythmical manner. This was first observed in 1875 by Dr. Caton. In 1929, Dr. Hans Berger described the pattern of oscillating electrical activity in the brain. This led to the EEG. At first it was used as a clinical tool to confirm clinical disorders such as seizures, epilepsy, brain trauma, tumors, but now with the advent of computerized neurophysiology (QEEG) we can do much more in diagnostics and treatment of the brain.

II. Why or how do problems occur in the brain? - diffuse cortical encephalopathy, drugs, toxins, brainwave slowing, brain injury, blood flow (TIA, etc)

III. The brain is a gelatonous mass of cortical and subcortical cells suspended in cerebral spinal fluid. In this fluid and brain tissue is where the electrical impulses come from ie life. When it stops, you die and are clinically dead. . The amplitude (strength) is measured in microvolts and the frequency or cycles per second are called hertz.

IV. This music originates in the thalomocortical region of the brain. It increases and decreases amplitude and power like music. This speed in which electrical impulses move through the brain is a measure of excitability. Problems occur when an individual cannot find the gas pedal and when some cannot take their foot off the pedal- i.e. the operating speed is too low or too high.

V. These commonly seen rhythms (Arousal States) are:

Delta- 0-4- sleep

Theta 4-7.5- drowsy-zone out

Alpha 7.5-12.5- relaxed feelings

(Mu- 9-11- rhythm)

SMR 12.5-15-sensory motor rhythm

Beta 1 - 15-20 concentrated thought

Beta 2 - 20-26- intense thought, anxiety

Beta 3 &endash;26-35- pain, agitated thought

Gamma 38-42- "Ah ha !", integrated memory

VI. Our goal is to stabilize the brain so it does not slide easily into under/overarousal.Optimal speed is probably 14 hertz since it increases blood flow to brain, changes metabolism, increases attention, increases positive affect. Good rhythm is EEG is key variable in coordination of cortical activity. It is a bioelectrical domain and rhythm changes lead to desynchronization.

VII.Electrical Sensor Placements 10/20 system

Different parts of the brain control different parts of our functioning, but there is real overlap and some duplication. Our brain can adjust to brain injury for example by allowing another part of the brain learn the information, skills, etc. that was injured.

IX. My point is that we have made significant advances in deteriming subtle changes in one's brain activity . The resulting data is more precise that PET scans, brain scans, neuropsychological testing, and patient reports, but correlates well with all of the above. It can pickup more subtle information that are precursors to future problems and can dettect reasons for patient complaints and it is less invasive, and less expensive. Futher as you can see later, Tx can be done and imporvemnent made with out medical side effects or can lower dosages of mediations. Remember that meds alter neurochemical systems but do not "treat" spedific illnesses.

X. In what areas are QEEG's relevant and useful ?

XI. Brain waves are normal and rhythmical, but when they change speed from the norm and become unstable, there are changes in conciousness and other problems. They can be classified as changes in arousal states:

ADHD-Impulsive type Mania Fear

Anxiety Cognitive Dyslexia word retreival

Sleep onset/nightmares ST memory articulation

Hypervigileant frontal lobe- ob/comp.

Anger disinhibition math

Agitated depression vocal tics

Chronic Pain-spacisity

ADD inattentive type irritability effort fatigue

Immediate and recent memory deficits Insomnia (frequent awakening) PMS

Sensory motor deficits headaches(beta training)

Chronic Fatique Syndrome Reactive Depression

Chronic Pain (low pain threshold) Drug abuse

Anxiety and depression Migranes (SMR)

ADHD-combined

Tics- Tourettes Rages CVA

Head trauma Bruxism Schizophrenia

Lowered intellectual activity Long Term Memory M.S.

Ob/compulsive Disorder Aggressive Disorder LD-

Normal brainmap- eyes closed

Some of the most intractable problems of our society -- learning and behavior problems of children, mental decline of the elderly, mood disorders, addictions, and irrational violence -- often reflect deficiencies in the way the brain regulates itself. EEG biofeedback (also called Neurofeedback) is a learning strategy that enables people to alter their brain waves, to influence and fine-tune the brain's own regulatory mechanisms. When information about a person's own brain wave patterns are made available, he or she can learn to change them, and in so doing, affect other aspects of his or her life.

What is EEG Biofeedback?

EEG Biofeedback is a learning strategy that enables persons to alter their brain waves. When information about a person's own brain wave characteristics is made available to him, he can learn to change them. You can think of it as exercise for the brain.

What is it used for?

EEG Biofeedback is used for many conditions and disabilities in which the brain is not working as well as it might. These include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and more severe conduct problems, specific learning disabilities, and related issues such as sleep problems in children, teeth grinding, and chronic pain such as frequent headaches or stomach pain, or pediatric migraines. The training is also helpful with the control of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as for more severe conditions such as medically uncontrolled seizures, minor traumatic brain injury, or cerebral palsy.

How is it done?

An initial interview is done to obtain a description of symptoms, and to get a picture of the health history and family history. Some testing may be done as well. And the person does the first EEG training session, at which time we get a look at the EEG. This all may take about two hours. (The details may differ among the various affiliate offices. In some offices a full brain map, or quantitative EEG, is routinely obtained, which may require a separate office visit. Or more extensive testing may be done.) Subsequent training sessions last about 40 minutes to an hour, and are conducted from one to five times per week. Some improvement is generally seen within ten sessions. Once learning is consolidated, the benefit appears to be permanent in most cases.

The EEG biofeedback training is a painless, non-invasive procedure. One or more sensors are placed on the scalp, and one to each ear. The brain waves are monitored by means of an amplifier and a computer-based instrument that processes the signal and provides the proper feedback. This is displayed to the trainee by means of a video game or other video display, along with audio signals. The trainee is asked to make the video game go with his brain. As activity in a desirable frequency band increases, the video game moves faster, or some other reward is given. As activity in an adverse band increases, the video game is inhibited. Gradually, the brain responds to the cues that it is being given, and a "learning" of new brain wave patterns takes place. The new pattern is one which is closer to what is normally observed in individuals without such disabilities.

Roshi includes a series of procedures and techniques that seek to normalize or enhance brain wave functioning. The goal is nomalization of one's EEG. Meditation and Peak Performance are other goals that are sometimes achieved with the Roshi Technique. This Roshi is experimental in nature, but appears to have positive effects in a number of patients in a range of disorders including depression, head injuries, attention related disorders, Torrettes, substance abuse problems, explosive disorders, seizure disorders and even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

One of the common features present in the EEG records of individuals with these conditions is high levels of slow wave activity in the brain. This slow wave activity (Delta, Theta and parts of the Alpha frequency bands) are normally seen during sleep or dream activity and during periods of unfocused relaxation. When they are the dominant frequency during periods of wakefulness or concentration they often are associated with impulsivity, inattention, depression or other symptomatic behaviors.

The Roshi protocols is to reduce the level of slow wave activity present in the brain. When this occurs clients often report an immediate sense of relaxation and mental clarity. Explosive outbursts are reduced or eliminated and there is a general feeling of improved ease in coping with life. Vision is often clearer and richer and sleep patterns tend to normalize quickly.

Roshi uses stimulation goggles to accomplish the same goals without any conscious learning on the part of the client. These systems also record brain wave activity, but instead of providing tones or visual reinforcement to "teach" the nervous system to reset itself, this system uses tiny energy pulsation's to exercise the brain out of it's "stuck" condition. Even brief stimulation with these systems can produce lasting improvement for many people. Because it requires no conscious learning these systems are especially helpful in working with clients with severely diminished mental abilities.

EEG biofeedback has been shown to be very helpful with chronic pain. Since these results may be somewhat unexpected, they present perhaps the best challenge to our understanding of the mechanisms of EEG biofeedback. When we regard pain sensors alongside other sensory systems, such as vision and hearing, we observe a unique distinguishing characteristic. In the general case, when human sensory systems are presented with a constant stimulus there is a gradual decrease in response to that stimulus. The only known exception to this general rule is the body's pain response to persistent challenge. In this case, the response is to gradually *increase* sensitivity to the stimulus, i.e. a lowering of the local pain threshold. Thus pain can survive even when the original provocation is removed, resulting in chronic pain. A self-sustaining interaction takes place between the cortex and the apparent source of the pain, perpetuating the sensation of pain. This explanation by no means denies the reality of the pain experience. It simply defines it in terms of a self-reinforcing, self-sustaining activity involving the brain as well as the "periphery". That is, the brain defines what is to be perceived as painful.

A striking correlation has been observed between the occurrence of chronic pain and a history of abuse or trauma in childhood. One study found that such abuse was present in as many as 85% of cases of chronic pain. Clearly, then, more than a "purely" physiologically-based phenomenon is at issue. Why, then, should a technique which appeals strictly to the underlying physiology be effective? We conjecture that there is a mutual relationship between the phenomenon of chronic pain and a state of depression. The physiological state of depression (to which the person may be susceptible due to the prior abuse) may bring in train disregulation of the pain threshold; or the causal chain may go the other way: the persistence of chronic pain may bring about a chronic state of depression, to which the person is particularly vulnerable. In any case, we observe symptoms characteristic of underarousal. The EEG training is presumptively effective in remediating the chronic underarousal condition, effecting a normalization of mood and of the pain threshold. Effectively, then, the brain has simply recalibrated the pain threshold. It no longer interprets the incoming stimuli as being sufficient to constitute "pain".

This view may, however, be an oversimplification. Frequently, persons undergoing the EEG training for chronic pain will, after a few sessions, experience vivid recollections of long-suppressed traumatic memories. This occurs with such regularity that we always encourage persons undergoing the EEG training for chronic pain to undergo concurrent therapy as well, in order to deal with what comes up. In the larger view, then, the remediation we effect may involve dealing comprehensively with the larger, underlying issues which manifest in chronic pain and in depression.

Undoubtedly both mechanisms play a role during the full course of EEG training. In case there is any doubt, however, about the specific role and benefit of EEG training in remediation of chronic pain, it should be said that the two mechanisms operate on very different time scales.

Reports of alleviation of pain can occur even within the first session; further progress can be charted from one session to the next. The surfacing of suppressed memories may not take place until sessions 6-15, and the therapeutic benefit of adjunctive therapies not until after that. Hence, there is clearly a role implied for the EEG training.

It is noteworthy that the field of pain management has seen the first truly comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach emerge, one in which biofeedback plays an indispensable role. Up to the present time, the predominant use of biofeedback has tended to be relaxation training. The implications of our work with EEG training to remediate chronic pain are that emphasis should perhaps be placed more on the achievement of regulation and control, rather than relaxation.

General Neurotherapy techniques-4-8 and 16-20beta/theta ratio

A. Beta Training- Clean windshield effect- fog is gone beta on left c5, smr on right c3

B. Alpha/Theta Training- Twilight Zone- Dream state

C. Penniston with alcoholics

D. Hypnotic- right brain training

I. MENS

II. Biofeedback therapy-stress

III. Peak performance therapy

IV. Priming, mindstate management, ideal performance state/ neural imprinting

Mutisensory neuroentrainment works because it intervenes in the realm of

frequency or hertz-balancing = tuning

FNS-flexy neuro system oaks- photic stimulation

theta 4-7 down and 15-18 up

Neurofeedback Training+Functional EEG to correct neurological inefficiencies

start at 14 and ramp to slow alpha 8thento10.

To normalize managemen to far ousaland enhances ability to cortical

EEG,limbicamegdala=pleasure center

depression-rt/left alpha,

anx prep 3-8-10 down, 4-6 up,

add-2-6 down 15-25 up 13-15

adhd,15-18 add 8-9 arousal, 10-worry, 12 hyperawareness

VI. Successes

Sterman's cats- seizures

Enrico Fermi School, Yonker's NY

20 students out of sp ed saved school district -$500,000.

VII. Multisensory Neurostimulation Therapy using programed audio and photic

stimulation, multivoice binaul Priming whisper tracks in polysync,neuroscripting,

neurofeedback, and neuroentrainment (Priming tapes to nondominant side of

brain)

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