Neurofeedback (NFB)

Authors

Introduction

Biofeedback is a means to condition the brain and body link, to make the body to automatically perform as per signals received by the brain.

The first famous experiment was done by the Russian scientist, Pavlov.

  1. He first showed food to a dog, which made the dog salivate.

  2. In step two, he rang a tuning fork in front of the dog, but there was no salivation.

  3. In the third stage he rang the tuning fork and showed food to the dog on a number of occasions: there was salivation.

  4. In the fourth stage, he only rang the tuning fork but showed no food. Still the dog salivated. That showed that the dog had developed a Biofeedback between the ring of the turing fork and food, so that wherever he heard that sound, there was a biofeedback mediated autmatic salivation even when there was no food shown (See picture).

In another experiment, laboratory rats were left inside a small maze. If they could come out of the maze, they received food as reward. They soon learnt how to come out easily!
(Dr.Bernard Brooker, Miami University, NR2CON, 2007, New Delhi)

This layed down the groundwork for later day computer assisted Neurifeedback to enhance attention, reduce hyper-activity, increase concentration and logical thinking, and allied cognitive behaviors. 		1.
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Modern Biofeedback

  • When neurofeedback training is provided to the patient, brain neurons produce chemical and electrical signals, it is exercising the mental workout.

  • Brain has capacity to learn, heal, change and improve due to neuroplasticity.

  • The procedure is based on operant conditioning whereby an individual modifies the amplitude, frequency or coherence of the electrical activity and learns to influence the electrical activity of their brain

  • With the neurofeedback approach, the brain frequencies that are in excess are reduced, and those with a deficit are increased.

A type of biofeedback employing real-time display of brain activity most commonly through EEG to teach self regulation of the brain function. Sensors placed on scalp to measure brain activity, with measurements displayed employing video displays or sound. In Neurofeedback brain's electrical activity, this is the language that the brain uses to communicate within its complex neural networks, is recorded on a Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG). The QEEG shows the patterns of electrical activity in different areas of brain and is used to determine which areas show deregulation. Neurofeedback is based on specific aspects of cortical activity that requires the individual to learn to modify some aspect of their cortical activity

Emphasis of Neurofeedback

There is no need to take anesthesia and oral medication to use Neurofeedback training. It is approved by approved by Food and Drug Administration. Many autistic, ADHD patient get effected results in their intellectual, cognition and recognition properties.

Mode of Action

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Neuroplasticity allows the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment.

Neural correlation

Certain response to a stimulus when the subject is not attending to the stimulus. It enhances the attention. If the physical characteristics of the stimulus remain the same, it is termed as neural correlation.

Working memory

Responsible for the transient holding and processing of new and already-stored information, and is an important process for reasoning, comprehension, learning and memory updating. Temporarily stores information for detailed analysis.

Major Clinical therapeutic used

  • ADHD
  • Autism
  • Seizure disorders
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Sleep disorder
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Age related memory loss

Side Effect

No other side effect recorded in literature and during patient feedback

This is just a brief write-up. Much more can be done to help children with Autism or allied disorders with metabolic or genetic or pollution aggravated NDDs.

TREATMENT OPTION

Contact Dr. Mukherjee. Also, SKYPE consultation available for international and outstation parents of children with autism spectrum and other NDDs, by prior appointment through E-mail and transfer of consultation charges to designated bank account as will be informed on E-mail.

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by funding received (Ref: SEED/TIDE/007/2013) from the Technology Intervention for Disabled and Elderly (TIDE) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, New Delhi to North Eastern Hill University Shillong, Meghalaya, India in collaboration with UDAAN for the Disabled, C-27 Dayanand Colony, Lajpatnagar - 4, New Delhi 110024.
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