The Wonderful Brain

Brain Maps, Part 1: The Wonderful Brain (continued)

Sample Brain Maps
And Their Explanations

Below are examples of what Brain Map areas look like.
The top part represents the front of the head,
And the bottom part shows the back of the head.

Map 1

In the first Brain Map example shown below, we see that the brain waves in most regions of the brain fall in the blue range, indicating under activity. The exception is the theta wave in the front part of the brain, which appears in the burgundy/red range. The amplitude of the large, slow theta wave is too high in this region – it’s over functioning here.

Immediately we can determine that this abnormality involves an “Attention Deficit Disorder” (ADD) behavior, such as difficulty paying attention.

How we know this, is because the abnormality of too large a theta wave in the frontal lobe and central regions of the brain is an ADD pattern. If the same pattern had shown in orange, the problem would be even more severe. Attention Deficit Disorder has 12 subtypes, including difficulty paying attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity and distractibility, to name a few. ADD is a broad diagnosis, but brain maps help to determine the exact subtypes that are occurring so that the neurofeedback treatment is more effective. This may be why certain medications will work for one individual diagnosed with ADD, but not for another, because the sub-types of ADD vary so much within the neurological functioning of the brain.

Map 2

This next map shows the brain wave patterns of a 19-year-old male. Before his EEG, the client shared that he had been told all of his life that he had ADD. But when the map was processed, instead of seeing over-active colors showing up in theta in the frontal area of the brain, those indicators were absent.

When reviewing the map with the client, he was asked if distractibility was the reason he was told he had ADD. He said yes, that he was easily distracted by things around him. He was also asked if he had math learning disabilities; again he answered yes. Problems with distractions typically show up in the P4 area (note P4 on his map in the red zone), and problems with math and numbers usually show up in the parietal area of the brain at P3, PZ and P4. On his map it is evident that the parietal lobe area is in red, indicating these problems.

Map 3

In this map, several areas show up as problems in the brain: Theta is red in the frontal area, alpha is red in the back, and beta shows in red all over. First, consider the large theta waves in the front. These indicate problems in paying attention, and it is worst at F3, FZ, and F4. Next, take a look at alpha in the back. Alpha should be in the back as alpha is generated there, but not this much alpha. Now look at beta. Here you see beta in red, blanketing the majority of the brain area. Over functioning beta is responsible for a number of problems such as anxiety, nervousness, constant worry, difficulty sleeping, inability to relax, and the feeling of being “wired”. This often occurs with a number of elderly people who have these problems.

The person with a Brain Map like the one above has difficulty taking in information and processing it due to the abnormal theta wave. In this case, the information may be presented, such as one person talking to another, but the person who is listening really does not hear or take in the information, acting as if they never heard what was said. Overall, the result is an inability to pay attention. This individual may also appear to be in an overly relaxed state due to alpha being so high in the back, but the opposite is actually true; inside, he or she is a nervous jitter and is internally “wired” due to the high beta throughout the brain.

Map 4

This next map of just theta, shown at right, shows a person who may struggle with impulsivity, obsessive-compulsive (OCD) behavior and oppositional defiant (ODD) behavior. These behaviors are typical with high theta in the central area at CZ. Variations may include high theta in front as well as high theta in the central area.

As can be seen from the sample maps, each brain is unique and different from other brains” , and must be approached in “NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL”. This means that each brain has its own pattern and behavior and must be approached individually and treated individually.