Brain Mapping Research

Research – Part 1: Improving the Brain with Brain Mapping




Brain Mapping Research

A brain map is an EEG recording that identifies specific brain areas that are malfunctioning, pinpointing exact brain waves that cause problems to occur in both mental and emotional behavior.

A brain map uses advanced state-of-the-art computer equipment that measures and displays the electrical wave patterns generated by the brain.  These patterns are then compared against a database of patterns to determine what areas of the brain are generating electrical wave patterns within the “normal” range and what areas of the brain are generating wave patterns outside of the “normal” range.

A map of these pattern comparisons is created to identify which areas of the brain need to be corrected and re-trained to more closely match those of normal patterns.

Quantitative EEGs Over Standard EEGs

Jay Gunkelman, a Certified EEG Specialist in California, states that “An EEG Brain Map provides additional information that cannot be identified in a visual evaluation of the standard EEG.”

Dr. Jacques Duff in Clinical EEG and Neuroscience (2004) found that, “Quantitative EEG has been shown to be highly sensitive (96%) in identifying post-concussion syndrome.  It is empirical, objective, non-intrusive, and has been shown to be highly accurate in identifying various neurophysiological patterns of brain dysfunction.”

Restoring Memory to the Aging Mind

Dr. Thomas Budzynski, Dr. Helen Budzynski, and Dr. H.Y. Yang wrote in the Handbook of Neurofeedback book (2009), edited by James Evans, Ph.D., that,

“Of great concern among the elderly is the potential for irreversible deterioration of brain functioning in the course of an increasingly longer life span.  But it has been seen that neurostimulation and neurofeedback have made inroads in changing the cirulatory, metabolic, and functional activity of brain and the nervous system.

A most exciting possibility is in the findings emerging since the late 1990s that improving the neural environment (such as with stimulation) can activate stem cell activity and produce neurogenesis in the hippocampus, thus improving memory functions.

“Certainly, the research demonstrating that new neural tissue can be generated is the most startling finding of all.  The recognition that the brain performs self-repair through neurogenesis helps to forge a new goal of achieving understanding about conditions under which these self-repair actions can occur.”

“The EEG spectral patterns and frequency power levels seen in elderly do tend to differ as a function of age. When compared with 30-year olds, adults aged 65 years and older typically exhibit EEG frequencies shifting toward lower values, as seen below.

There is a decrease in the magnitude of the dominant alpha frequency band (within the 8-12 Hz band)

There is an increase in magnitude of theta rhythm (4-8Hz), and

A decrease in the magnitude of beta-1 (12.5-17.5 Hz) and beta 2 (17.5- 25 Hz)

The records of 420 normals showed increased magnitude (size) in slow waves with increasing age (Huges & Cayaffa 1977).”   This report agrees with many others that there is a problem with larger slow waves and smaller fast waves with the elderly who experience memory loss.

The right hemisphere changes appear more prominent than left brain wave changes.

The high Alpha band (10-12 Hz) power remains the hallmark of good memory performance despite age level.

These findings accentuate the fact that,  “The magnitude of theta and delta appear to be early prognostic indicators of cognitive decline and life expectancy.”    Having this knowledge is very important as Quantitative EEG brain maps are studied for determining the rate of severity of problematic situations of memory loss, and the ability of the brain to improve and restore its natural EEG function.

With regard to improving the concerns of memory and restoring cognitive health, Drs Budzynski, Budzynski, and Yang state with regard to neurofeedback retraining of the brain that:

In most cases, the elderly require reduction in the theta and delta bands with enhancement of beta and sometimes, alpha band magnitudes to improve memory.

Peak alpha frequency enhancement will often be required for improvement of memory.

Dr. Thomas Budzynski coined the term “Brain Brightening” for this type of protocol in working with the elderly to improve cognitive functioning, and reports that elderly clients will often report a resurgence of abilities in relevant areas of their lives, such as recovering writing skills, card playing, and short and long term memory as well as restful sleep.

As reported, “During those periods, when brain wave patterns go awry, neurotherapists can do much to restore the balance by first pinpointing the problem areas and then remediate these with neurofeedback and augmenting techniques…Neurofeedback has been shown to enhance cognitive abilities in the elderly.

Dr. Thomas Budzynski has been honored for his research and cognitive improvements in working with the elderly, with Brain Brightening, in restoring mental abilities, by his receiving the Life Time Achievement Award from the International Society of Neuronal Regulation (ISNR).

Further information may be obtained on his work from the ISNR organization, now referred to as the International Society of Neurofeedback and Research.

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