Mood Disorders

Neurofeedback Treatment of Two Children with Learning, Attention, Mood, Social, and Developmental Deficits

Background. Neurofeedback is biofeedback training of EEG activity through an operant conditioning process by which the individual is trained to increase or inhibit the brain's production of electrical activity in specific frequency ranges. Studies have demonstrated efficacy with a variety of disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning problems, and autistic features. This paper describes the application of neurofeedback in a clinical setting with two complex children who manifested multiple diagnoses, including learning disabilities (LD), ADHD, social deficits, mood disorders, and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Both boys had adjusted poorly to school, family, and peers. Methods. Subjects were referred to the author's clinical practice. They received individualized protocols based on their symptoms and functional impairments. They were administered semi-weekly 20-minute sessions of one-channel neurofeedback training for approximately six months. In both cases symptoms were identified and tracked with a parent rating scale and one case, with the Symptom Assessment-45 Questionnaire (SA-45) also. Results. Each boy improved in all tracked symptoms without adverse effects. One improved on most measures of the SA-45 with no deterioration on any measure. Functional improvements in academic functioning, home behavior, and peer relationships were indicated. Conclusions. Neurofeed back was a successful treatment for these two multi-symptomatic and diagnosed boys, whose improvements surpassed the gainsmade with previous therapies. The advantages of neurofeedback include the relative absence of observable adverse effects, the lack of reliance on medication with its possible side effects and noncompliance, and the possibility of long-term gains without continued intervention.

Neurofeedback with anxiety and affective disorders

A robust body of neurophysiologic research is reviewed on functional brain abnormalities associated with depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. A review of more recent research finds that pharmacologic treatment may not be as effective as previously believed. A more recent neuroscience technology, electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback (neurofeedback), seems to hold promise as a methodology for retraining abnormal brain wave patterns. It has been associated with minimal side effects and is less invasive than other methods for addressing biologic brain disorders. Literature is reviewed on the use of neurofeedback with anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and with depression. Case examples are provided.

The Usefulness of Quantitative EEG (QEEG) and Neurotherapy in the Assessment and Treatment of Post-Concussion Syndrome

Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with damage to frontal, temporal and parietal lobes. Post-concussion syndrome has been used to describe a range of residual symptoms that persist 12 months or more after the injury, often despite a lack of evidence of brain abnormalities on MRI and CT scans. The core deficits of post-concussion syndrome are similar to those of ADHD and mood disorders, and sufferers often report memory, socialization problems and frequent headaches. While cognitive rehabilitation and psychological support are widely used, neither has been shown to be effective in redressing the core deficits of post-concussion syndrome. On the other hand, quantitative EEG has been shown to be highly sensitive (96%) in identifying post-concussion syndrome, and neurotherapy has been shown in a number of studies to be effective in significantly improving or redressing the symptoms of post-concussion syndrome, as well as improving similar symptoms in non-TBI patients.

Clinical Use of an Alpha Asymmetry Neurofeedback Protocol in the Treatment of Mood Disorders

Background: This study reports on three of six patients who have completed an average of 27 neurofeedback sessions using a patented alpha asymmetry protocol for the treatment of depression. Method: The follow-up data, from one to five years post therapy, were derived from a single session re-test using the same alpha asymmetry protocol and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results: The three patients originally diagnosed as having unipolar depression reached the training criteria for the non-depressed range by the end of their initial training, and they have maintained their normal scores for right hemisphere alpha asymmetry training over time. The follow-up Beck Depression Inventory scores were also within the normal range. Discussion: This finding is contrary to the previously held demonstrations by Davidson and Henriques regarding the stability of decreased left anterior cortical activation in remitted depression. While some patients have reported mood changes with life's vicissitudes, none have experienced clinical depression since they have terminated therapy.

An EEG Biofeedback Protocol for Affective Disorders

Self regulation of electrocortical activity in schizophrenia and schizotypy: a review

Contrary to the belief that schizophrenic patients will be unable to learn self control of electrocortical activity due to attentional and motivational deficits, the two studies which have investigated this, both involving operant conditioning of slow cortical potentials, have demonstrated that self regulation can take place. This was particularly true of a study of interhemispheric control. Learning difficulties were found to be more to do with sustaining motivation towards the end of sessions or training programs, rather than in initial learning. Schizotypical features in the normal population have in the case of anhedonia been associated with slower learning, while withdrawn introversion has been associated with faster learning. In view of the affirmative evidence and advances in understanding the functional significance of electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms, the undertaking of therepeutic regimens with electrocortical operant conditioning is warranted in the schizophrenia spectrum.