What's New in Neurofeedback

Doug Quirk, 1928-1997, a pioneer in neurofeedback, died last month. He spent 20 years at the Ontario Correctional Institute treating inmates, reducing recidivism in violent felons from 98% to about 40%.
Read his obituary written by friend and colleague George von Hilsheimer at www.eegspectrum.com/html/ann1998.htm

EEG Spectrum International's Database project

Nearly 600 individuals have been culled from this dataset already. In the near future this database should provide the foundation for a number of published papers on the effectiveness of neurofeedback for ADHD, PMS, bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia, chemical dependency, and other conditions.

New Neurofeedback Clinicians

Sharon Moehle, Ed.S. Licensed Psychologist
9495 Hilltop Drive, Parker, AZ 85344
520 667-1619

Russell L. Dixon, Psy.D., P.A., Licensed Psychologist
2510 E. Nettleton Av, Suite 4, Jonesboro, AR 72401
870-931-6180

Jim Incorvaia, Ph.D.
Reiss-Davis Child Study Center, 3200 Motor Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310 204-1666 x316, Fax (310) 838-2791

Margaret Mahony
1168 Magnolia Ave., San Jose, CA 95126-2140
(408) 358-1888

Jolene Ross, Ph.D.
140 Bristol Road, Wellesley, MA 02181
(617) 431-9115

Mark Koharchik
420 Deanne, Newcastle, WY 82701-2936
(307) 746-4456

Arne Tveten, M.D., Mette Hesby, R.N.
Medicus as, Storgt 20, Moellegt. 8, 3111 Toensberg, NORWAY.
Tlp.:+47 33 31 37 80, Fax: +47 33 31 37 28
Email medicus@vestfoldnett.no

Neurofeedback and ADHD have been linked for more than 20 years. In 1976 Lubar and Shouse published the very first paper (I am aware of) that provided evidence of neurofeedback effectively treating ADHD symptoms. This classic paper appeared in Biofeedback Self Regulation, volume 1, 293-306, and was titled: EEG and behavioral changes in a hyperkinetic child concurrent with training of the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR): a preliminary report.

Here is what they reported:

Reduced seizure incidence coupled with voluntary motor inhibition accompanied conditioned increases in the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR), a 12- 14 Hz rhythm appearing over rolandic cortex. Although SMR biofeedback training has been successfully applied to various forms of epilepsy in humans, its potential use in decreasing hyperactivity has been limited to a few cases in which a seizure history was also a significant feature. The present study represents a first attempt to explore the technique's applicability to the problem of hyperkinesis independent of the epilepsy issue. The results of several months of EEG biofeedback training in a hyperkinetic child tend to corroborate and extend previous findings. Feedback presentations for SMR were contingent on the production of 12- 14-Hz activity in the absence of 4- 7-Hz slow-wave activity. A substantial increase in SMR motor inhibition, as gauged by laboratory measures of muscular tone (chin EMG) and by a global behavioral assessment in the classroom. Opposite trends in motor inhibition occurred when the training procedure was reversed and feedback presentations were contingent on the production of 4- 7 Hz in the absence of 12- 14-Hz activity. Although the preliminary nature of these results is stressed, the subject population has recently been increased to establish the validity and generality of the findings and will include the use of SMR biofeedback training after medication has been withdrawn.

JOURNAL ARTICLES A Comparison of EEG Biofeedback and Psychostimulants in Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders Thomas R. Rossiter, PhD & Theodore J. La Vaque, PhD, 1995   on www.ssnr.com A Controlled Study of the Effects of EEG Biofeedback on Cognition and Behavior of Children With Attention Deficit Disorders and Learning Disabilities Michael Linden, Ph.D.; Thomas Habib, Ph.D. Vesna Radojevic, Ph.D.   on Linden Homepage - http://haven.ios.com:80/~allcomp/linden.html Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pharmacotherapy and beyond Tan G, Schneider SC  Postgrad Med 101 (5): 201-204 (May 1997)   on Medline A controlled study of the effects of EEG biofeedback on cognition and behavior of children with attention deficit disorder and learning disabilities. Linden M, Habib T, Radojevic V  Biofeedback & Self-Regulation 21 (1): 35-49 (Mar 1996)   on Medline

Additional sources of information on ADHD: Alternative Treatments for Attention Deficit Disorder www.ns.net/users/BrandiV/index8.html ADD Action Group Non-profit group that helps people find alternative solutions for ADD and related disorders. www.addgroup.org UCLA's ADHD Genetic Study Families with 2 or more ADHD children are invited to participate. www.boxtop.com/add.html ADHD Resources Numerous links www.newideas.net/p0000453.htm Attention Deficit Page Neurological brainwave feedback centers, clinical applications, forums, news, articles www.attentiondeficit.com/ ADHD Owner's Manual Information about diagnosis, treatment, intervention strategies. ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/edutech/ Attention Deficit Disorder information from an educators perspective. members.aol.com/BevKPrice/HTML/index.html Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Internet Mental Health page www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-ch01.html Hyperactive Childrens Support Group Support group for hyperactive children and their families. homepages.force9.net/hyperactive National Attention Deficit Disorder Association For adults with ADD and ADHD. www.add.org/ ADDult Recovery Attention Deficit Disorder and the Twelve Steps. Info and links to ordering ADDult Recovery, by Angie D. Dixon. www.signasoft.com/add/

New Books

APPLIED NEUROPHYSIOLOGY & BRAIN BIOFEEDBACK

Selected chapters

History and Vision of EEG feedback - Joe Kamiya

Physiological Origins and Functional Correlates of EEG Rhythmic Activities: Implications for Self Regulation - M.B. Sterman

EEG and Brainwaves of Consciousness - Anna Wise

Metacognitive Strategies & Neurofeedback for ADD/ADHD Clients - Lynda Thompson, Ph.D.and Michael Thompson, M.D.

Alpha-Theta Neurotherapy as a Multi-Level Matrix of Intervention - Nancy White Ph.D. and Karinn Marting, MSW

Twilight Learning Revisited -Thomas Budzynski, Ph.D.

Miscellaneous Applications Biofeedback with Dangerousness and Schizophrenia - Doug Quirk

Neurofeedback for Smoking Cessation - Ron Kerner, Ph.D.

Nonmedical Applications and Considerations of Biofeedback - Rob Kall, M.ED.

The Implications of Meditation and EEG Research Findings for Biofeedback- Frank G. Echenhofer, Ph.D.,

Recent papers

Lubar JF (1997). Neocortical dynamics: implications for understanding the role of neurofeedback and related techniques for the enhancement of attention. Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback, 22, 111-126.

Calls for the combination of information gathered on the genesis of EEG and neocortical dynamics with the findings from neurofeedback investigations. The results of neurofeedback training and other interventions are discussed particularly in the context of understanding attentive mechanisms and for the management of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders.

Tan G, Schneider SC (1997). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pharmacotherapy and beyond. Postgraduate Medicine, 101, 201-204.

Promotes a multimodal approach to managing ADHD. particularly a nonpharmacologic approach involving behavior therapy, parent education, and neurofeedback.

Media Reports

Old News Rediscovered

NPR's Science Friday spent an hour on May 19, 1995 discussing whether insurance should cover alternative medical techniques and the pros and cons of alternative approaches to medicine. Guests included Alan Trachtenberg, Acting Director of the Office of Alternative Medicine (NIH). (Unfortunately this hour was not archived on Real Audio as their extensive SciFri archive www.npr.org/programs/totn/archives/ started up August 1995.)

Of Interest

Yearly funding of Office of Alternative Medicine in NIH since its inception

TOTAL	FY 93	FY 94	FY 95	FY 96	FY 97
FUNDED RESEARCH	$880,544	$2,112,788	$2,449,100	$3,067,466	$6,375,752

Only one study, EEG Normalization Therapy for Mild Head Trauma (funded for $30K), involved neurofeedback. However much of the money goes to Center for Alternative Medicine, so it is not clear whether additional funding for neurofeedback research is included in these future.

Talking to Strangers

Of the 32 messages posted in response to the initial query, about 12 were negative or misinformed -- 7 of these coming from a single person.

Among the positive responses to this man's query were two clinicians who use neurofeedback in their practice. Both stated how they had achieved promising results with neurofeedback for ADHD children.

Squeezed amid rants was the following:

"Seeing that my son has dropped from 70mg of Ritalin a day to only 10mg per day proves to me that this approach [neurofeedback] does work, at least for him. His temper is much more under control and he appears to be heading in the right direction with school...."

This is the kind of good news we want to see on the Internet!

You can follow and contribute to this active thread by using a newsreader to view new messages of the alt.support.attn-deficit newsgroup or by typing the following string in your web browser's location field : http://search.dejanews.com/dnquery.xp?query=neurofeedback&showsort=date

Chatting with Strangers

Parents of ADD/ADHD children --Send an email to listserver@bdtp.com. In message body write: subscribe add-parents

Adults with ADHD -- Send an email to listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu. In message body write: subscribe addult your name

Adults with ADHD -- Send an email to AADD-FOCUSED-Request@MailList.Net. In message body write: subscribe

Children with ADHD -- Send an email to listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu. In message body write: subscribe ADDKIDS your name

Spouses/SOs of people with ADHD -- Send an email to listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu. In message body write: subscribe ADD-mate your name

EEG Biofeedback Training Course for Professionals

The training also includes the all-important practicum section which focuses on actual operation and use of instrumentation. Additionally, opportunity is provided outside the formal curriculum for practitioners to experience training on themselves as well as discussing professional issues, marketing, and the particulars of establishing a financially successful practice based on this modality.

Faculty: Siegfried Othmer, Ph.D., BCIAC; Susan Othmer, BCIAC ; M. Barry Sterman, Ph.D. ; Nancy White, Ph.D. ; Julian Isaacs, Ph.D. ; Pat Fields, Psy.D. ; Martin Wuttke, BCIAC ; William Scott, BSW, CCDP   BCIAC - Certified by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America

LOCATION	DATES
Cuernavaca, Mexico Info about accomodations www.eegspectrum.com/html/hotel.htm	Jan 22-26, 1998
Scottsdale, AZ Info about accomodations www.eegspectrum.com/html/hotel.htm	Feb 19-23, 1998
No.Miami, FL Info about accomodations www.eegspectrum.com/html/hotel.htm	Mar 5- 9, 1998
Encino, CA Info about accomodations www.eegspectrum.com/html/hotel.htm	Mar 26-30, 1998
St. Louis, MO	Apr 16-20, 1998
Atlanta, GA	May 14-18, 1998

SECTION	SUBJECT	DURATION	COST
1	Neurophysiology and EEG Electronic Principles	1 Day	$ 200.00*
2	EEG Biofeedback Theory and Practice Beta/SMR Protocols	3 Days	$ 600.00*
3	Alpha/Theta Protocols	1 Day	$ 200.00*
* $50 Discount per section applied if more than one course is taken concurrently.

To enroll, contact Dennis Campbell or call EEG Spectrum International at 800-789-3456 or (818) 788-2083.
Please include your name and phone number in all email messages.

FutureHealth Conference - February 6 - 10, 1998

Pre-conference: Feb 5 Neurofeedback Foundations Course & Optimal Functioning Meeting

Selected Speakers (partial list)

Barry Sterman - Issues in Topographic Mapping for Neurofeedback Providers

Karl Pribram -Relationship of EEG & Microelectrode Data

Siegfried Othmer & Susan Othmer- The Grand Unified Theory of EEG BF-- Implications for Protocol

David Kaiser & William Scott - Neurofeedback training for chemical dependency in the context of the Minnesota Model

John S. Anderson -Five years of NF in a Public Charter School - Building a Base & Expanding into the Community.

Dennis Campbell- Performance Enhancement Strategies

Rob Kall -Politics of Self Awareness/ discipline & Consciousness

Barbara A. Linde -Applications of NF for Domestic Violence

Gene Penniston -PTSD & Addictions & The Penniston Protocol: An Update.

Joel Lubar -An Evaluation of the Short-term & Long-Term Effects of AVS (Sound & Light) on QEEG.

David Cole & David Warner -Interventional Informatics: Applied psychophysiological Telemedicine

Valdeane Brown

Selected Workshops (partial list)

Karl Pribram - Theta Brain Activity

Anna Wise - Theoretical Aspects of The Awakened Mind - from protocol to matrix.

Tom Budzynski -Optimizing EEG Signatures in The Elderly

Victoria Ibric - NF for Chronic Pain

Sue Othmer -Advanced Neurocybernetics Instrumentation User Practicum

Sue Othmer -Case conference & clinical decision making for Beta/SMR trng

Selected Exhibitors (partial list)

EEG Spectrum International

Aquathought Labs

Universal Attention Disorders (TOVA)

Bioresearch Institute

Thought Techology

Autogenics/Stoelting

Focused Technologies

Biocomp Research

For more information on this conference http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/SMILE/97brainm.htm

AAPB Conference - April 1 - 5, 1998

Selected Keynote Speakers:

Eugene Peniston, Ph.D. - EEG Alpha-Theta Neurofeedback Training for Addictions

Allan N. Schore, Ph.D. - Affect Regulation, Neurobiological Maturation, & the Origin of the Self

Bernard S. Brucker, Ph.D. - Recent Discoveries of Central Nervous System Plasticity & the Future Role of Biofeedback

Bernard T. Engler, PhD - Self-Regulation and Aging: The Challenge in Everyone's Future

E. Dale Walters, Ph.D. - EEG, Alpha-Theta States of Consciousness, and Self-Programming

Conference includes programs on geriatrics, respiratory physiology, stress management education, optimal performance, new technology, and biofeedback applications in school settings: Workshops and Short Courses

Contact AAPB for further information
10200 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
1-800-477-8892
e-mail aapb@resourcenter.com
www.aapb.org

Re-evaluating one's belief system

One of the problems lies in the categorization of disorders made by DSM IV, which defines conditions mostly based on symptoms, age at onset, predisposing factors, and prognosis. The neurophysiological and neuroanatomical substrates of disorders are overlooked. Thus disorders that reflect similar cortical dysfunction are delineated from each other. When a treatment is developed which targets a specific neurophysiological dysfunction, a whole host of DSM-IV conditions can be impacted. Studies have found that Prozac is effective in treating bulimia, anorexia nervosa, adult and childhood depression, fibromyalgia, and some autistic symptoms. Are we to believe that Prozac must not work on any, as more than three are listed? Did Eli Lilly develop the drug to affect one DSM condition, or as I suspect, did they target a specific neurotransmitter system. Clinical studies have found Depakote to be effective in treating migraines, anxiety, and complex partial (epileptic) seizures. What if the term neurofeedback appeared in the previous sentence where Depakote now appears? Any difference in reaction from those skeptics?

Grant applications also fall victim to DSM balkanization. One reviewer of a chemical dependency grant rejected the grant partly on the grounds that although there was good evidence of alpha-theta neurofeedback being effective in treating alcoholism, there was no evidence whatsoever of alpha-theta neurofeedback being effective in treating chemical dependency. I can think of no two conditions in the DSM IV that resemble each other more and co-occur more often than alcoholism and substance abuse. But because the DSM IV describes these disorders on different pages under different headings, they are treated as two separate and unrelated entities in the minds of many scientists.

The other problem with the acceptance of neurofeedback is that that too few people (outside of neuroscientists and neurologists) grasp the importance of rhythmicity and feedback loops in the brain. Here is a simple model of the brain taught to me by neurosurgeon Joe Bogen to help the non-neuroscientist understand how the brain works:

The brain consists of inhibitory systems that inhibit inhibitory systems which inhibit inhibitory systems.

If you grasp this, you grasp why neurofeedback is so powerful in remediating cortical dysfunction and subsequently psychopathology. Neurofeedback provides an external feedback loop that can come under some volitional control. This feedback loop impinges on the extensive feedback loops inherent in the thalamocortical circuitry and the therapist moderates these feedback loops to increase or decrease activation of neuromodulatory circuitry at various topographic regions of the brain. (See David McCormick's work for a clear and visual presentation on neuronal feedback loops - info.med.yale.edu/neurobio/mccormick/seminar/seminar.htm

Neurofeedback may require a re-evaluation of one's belief system, especially those who memorized the DSM-IV. But I doubt that the Nobel Prize has ever been awarded to any scientist who did not re-evaluate his or her belief system at one time during his or her lifetime.

David Kaiser

Once a month, typically on the 1st of the month, you will receive an email message that includes reviews of recent neurofeedback publications, updates on new and ongoing research studies, reports in the media, and schedules of upcoming training courses and conference dates.

If you care to contribute to the list, email the newsletter editor at research@eegspectrum.com at any time during the month (type "newsletter contribution" in the subject line). Include in your email relevant articles, abstracts, web addresses, etc. Contributions may be edited for inclusion in the newsletter and not every contribution may appear in the monthly newsletter

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, email webmaster@eegspectrum.com and include in the body of your message "unsubscribe newsletter"