Determining the why; defining the where

Out in front all by itself

Over the past couple of decades, Neuroscience has employed sophisticated brain imaging technology such as the PET, SPECT, and functional MRI to conclude that performance (attention, focus, and learning), mood, memory, behavior, and emotional resilience are all created by specific performance centers in our brain. What this means, of course, is that mental and emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Bipolar, and OCD are all signs of a dysfunctional brain. There is also another meaning: If you don't have these symptoms, your brain performance centers are functioning efficiently. Interestingly, this scientific understanding has not been received as particularly exciting news: It seems to be just another reminder of a serious problem with no efficient solution.

There has been a “solution” offered by the pharmaceutical companies: Drugs to suppress the symptoms. Make that, expensive, unsafe drugs to suppress the symptoms. Unfortunately, as has been experienced by many, these drugs often do not work. And, as is frequently being reported by the press as the FDA releases new warnings, there are serious side effects: Increased suicide risks, hallucinations, manic reactions, sudden death from cardiovascular events, and “permanent brain dysfunction,” just to name a few. (For details of these potential side effects, type the name of a drug followed by “side effects” into Google, or read, for example, Medication Madness by Peter Breggin, MD and Prozac Backlash by Joseph Glenmullen, MD. Several other titles on the subject are available from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other book sellers.)

Interestingly, there is work that has been going on for years that has essentially been ignored. Behind the scenes of all this hype and drama is a developed process that stands alone in both safety and effectiveness. This is the development of the Quantitative EEG (computerized brain wave analysis) and Neurofeedback (brain wave training). The objective is to identify the neurological inefficiencies producing the symptoms and to literally teach the brain to overcome the neurologically based performance and behavioral issues, safely, efficiently, and quickly.

The QEEG, as it is often called, is totally safe and can be repeated as desired to determine training progress. Neurofeedback is safe and effective, with no significant side effects. (While rare, a mild, transient headache has been reported.) Indeed, NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency Training™, a multidimensional approach to brain performance training, is all about brain health. It is expected to not only help remediate the symptoms but to also create an enhanced quality of life through improved attention, mood, memory, and emotional resilience.

Bringing it all together

The NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency Evaluation™ brings three assessments together to understand what is producing the symptoms: Questionnaires designed to understand the history and symptoms; an Auditory and Visual Continuous Performance Test to evaluate the brain’s ability for response control, focus and attention, and, the heart of the evaluation, the Quantitative EEG (computerized brain wave analysis).

Dr. Sams brings these complementary evaluations together in a unique way to provide not only an understanding of the past, but also as a reference point from which to create a new future. The various training protocols of NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency Training™ then address the discovered neurological issues.

The Questionnaires

Questionnaires include general health, symptoms that relate to over- or underactive brain areas, degrees of depression and anxiety, and neurotransmitter levels.

Audio/Visual Continuous Performance Test

Your ability to respond and pay attention to what you see and hear in your environment is evaluated with a computerized Audio and Visual Continuous Performance Test (CPT). The CPT requires the person to click the computer's mouse in response to a mix of auditory and visual signals.

The Test is a 15 minute long. A “1” or “2” is flashed on the computer screen every second while “1” or “2” is expressed through head phones. The objective is to click the computer mouse when a “1” is seen or heard, but not when a “2” is seen or heard. While the order appears random, the test is intricate, looking for patterns associated with problems with response control and attention.

Some of the 38 variables of attention include:

Ability to control and modulate responses

Prudence: How quickly and accurately can my brain respond to mixed visual and auditory cues?

Consistency: Can my brain repeat tasks in a consistent and predictable way, or is my performance erratic and inconsistent?

Stamina: Does my brain fatigue quickly, causing my performance to deteriorate before the school or job project or athletic event is finished?

Ability to focus and maintain attention

Vigilance: How much does my mind wander? Am I distracted by what is going on in my environment?

Focus: Can my brain pay attention to the details as I go about my day?

Speed: Does my performance suffer because my brain responds too slowly?

Some of the other questions the Continuous Performance Test answers include:

Does my brain and body work smoothly together, or does each seem to have a "mind of its own?"

Do I process incoming information better and more accurately by hearing it or by seeing it? Or, is my brain balanced and able to use both kinds of incoming information equally?

Can my brain "stand by" and wait for incoming information, or does it "flit off," leaving me unprepared to respond to “what’s next?”

The Quantitative EEG Test (Brain Wave Analysis)

Preparation

Ear clips are placed on each ear lobe and a stretchable elastic electrode cap is slipped onto the head. The nineteen recording electrodes (sensors) are then filled with a water soluble contact gel and the scalp mildly exfoliated to get a good contact.

The recording

Your brain waves are recorded while you relax with your eyes open, with your eyes closed, then while playing Tetris^®, a strategic video game. The recording of each condition usually lasts about five minutes.

The reports

The brain wave data is visually reviewed by Dr. Sams for signs of pathology, episodic (transient) events, and epileptic activity. A second analysis is done by processing the data through a Normative Reference Database, a “computer library” of the brain wave patterns of normal subjects. Comparison are made and a variety of print outs and reports are generated for further analysis by Dr. Sams.

The EEG characteristics are graded for performance efficiency in three important categories:

Topograms (brain maps)

Two types of colored brain maps are generated to serve as a visual aid for the Neurotherapist. One type shows the voltage amplitudes, thereby revealing inappropriate patterns and responses. The other report compares the amplitudes to those of normal subjects, helping the Neurotherapist to determine if there are areas of over or under activity. Either is a sign of neurological inefficiency, and will hamper attention, mood, behavior or memory.

Examples of inappropriate brain wave energies include:

• Excessive slow waves with relatively deficient fast frequencies reduce our ability to focus and pay attention.
• Excessive fast frequencies can overwhelm relaxing Alpha and Theta waves to increase feelings of anxiety.
• Excessive fast frequencies can overwhelm relaxing Alpha and Theta waves to increase feelings of anxiety.

Topographic brain maps help answer the questions:

• "Are the brain frequencies and patterns appropriate for the task?"
• "Do the proper brain areas engage to yield maximum performance?"
• "Does this brain switch to a new task in an easy and efficient way?"

Coherence (communication networks)

Coherence analyzes how efficiently the brain is able to share information between different performance areas.

Excessively high Coherence (as compared to normal subjects) indicates some of the brain’s resources are energetically "fused." That is, these areas are not able to efficiently disband to connect to other brain regions, leaving the brain stuck in a restricted performance pattern. In some cases, overcommitted brain areas will try to “borrow” energy from other performance centers to try to do its job more efficiently. If this happens, brain performance can suffer in multiple specialty areas and mixed symptoms such as ADD/ADHD, depression, and learning disabilities can occur.

Deficient coherence measurements reflect insufficient brain resources to energetically connect areas to perform specific tasks.

Either excessive or deficient Coherence is a common finding in those with traumatic brain injury, mood issues (depression or anxiety), and learning disabilities.

Coherence measurements answer the question:

• "How efficient is my brain's ability to communicate with itself?"

Phase

Phase measures the speed of electrical signals moving across the brain's surface and compares the timing of normal subjects.

If the timing of information transfer is excessively fast or slow, desired accomplishments and performance expectations may not be met.

Phase comparisons answer the question:

• "Is the brain's electrical energy moving at the optimal speed for adequate to superior performance?"

Progress reports

Progress is tracked with a new Quantitative EEG data collection each session. Statistical analyses are done by comparing the EEG data back to the initial analysis and the previous session; frequent Normative Reference Database reports evaluate performance characteristics. The Sams Center is the only Neurofeedback center that does a follow up QEEG each session.

If desired, the Continuous Performance test can be repeated around session 24 or so, to evaluate response control, focus, and attention.

Training Schedule

If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we schedule to your convenience. At least two to four sessions a week are recommended.

For those coming from outside the Dallas/Fort Worth area, a typical stay is two weeks. We do two sessions a day, working six days a week.

Many complete NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency Training in 24-30 sessions. Those with a traumatic brain injury, complicated symptoms, or a long history of drug use may take a few more sessions. Should this prove to be the case, training can be completed on a brief return visit in a few months or weeks, or with a special at-home trainer.

Fees

E-mail us from our Contact Page or call 972.733.3009 or 972.612.0160 for our current fee schedule.

To schedule an evaluation

Just call 972.733.3009 to arrange a convenient time for you or your family member to start.

For more information

For detailed information about NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency Training, click here to go to our Main Page

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