What's New in Neurofeedback
A Monthly Summary of News and Events

Vol. 10 No. 7 - July 2007

This newsletter is sponsored by EEG Spectrum Intl Inc,
a leader in providing clinical service and training
professionals. Past issues available at
http://start.eegspectrum.com/Newsletter/
To subscribe or cancel, see newsletter's end.
Opinions related in this newsletter reflect
author's only. Copyright (C) 2007 by EEG Spectrum
Intl, Inc. or David Kaiser. All rights reserved.
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Announcements - News
In the Spotlight - Periodicity Table
News & Reviews - Books & journal papers
Events & Locations - Conferences, Courses
Last Word - QEEG in your future
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Announcements

* Study Probes Roots of Fearful Memories
* Sex Drive in Brain, Not Hormones, Study Suggests
* Brain chemical has key role in ADHD: studies
* Brain Studies Show ADHD Is Real Disease
* Coffee may slow memory declines in women: study

All links at: news.yahoo.com/fc/Science/Brain_Research
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In the Spotlight

Periodicity Table

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more
complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius
-- and a lot of courage - - to move in the opposite
direction. -- Albert Einstein

Most EEG rhythms are the product of bidirectional
traffic between thalami and cortex. Hypersynchrony
between cortex and thalamus produces a loss of
consciousness, with a complete lack of responsiveness
to sensory input altogether, as in sleep, coma, or
seizure. The amount of synchrony varies across brain
sites and frequencies during different stages of
maturation, and one of our jobs as neurotherapists is
to identify whether each brain area is functioning
properly in our clients. Is it showing the proper
amount of synchrony or dependence for the
individual's age group? Which sites show too little
autonomy or independence, or too much?

Neurotherapy training has started to expand beyond
the handful of spectral parameters it has relied on
for most of its history -- magnitude (or power),
relative magnitude, coherence, phase, band ratio. We
can summarize the family of spectral parameters by
the following: consistency or difference of magnitude
or phase for multiple sites or frequencies. If we
limit electrode sites and frequency to no more than
two, we generate a set of 2x2 tables that contain
familiar as well as unfamiliar terms. The unfamiliar
terms can be applied to help complete our picture of
brain function at this level of measurement, EEG.

These tables, along with transformational properties,
comprise a periodicity table, the start of an
organizing scheme for understanding EEG dynamics.
Tables contain measures of activity or connectivity,
depending upon whether a spectral parameter is
capturing negotiation across cortex or between cortex
and thalamus or similar local activity (see http://
www.skiltopo.com/period.htm to see pictures of the
tables).

Activity Table # 1 - 1 site, 1 frequency.
Autocoherence (phase consistency),
Autophase (phase difference),
Variability (magnitude consistency), and
Magnitude (magnitude difference, from zero)

Connectivity Table #1 - shared activity between two
sites, one frequency.
Coherence (phase consistency),
Phase Lag (phase difference),
Comodulation (magnitude consistency), and
Asymmetry (magnitude difference). I added another
approach here called Unity, which is the epoch-level
absolute value of Asymmetry.

Activity Table 2 - one site, two frequencies.
Selection between systems, one site.
Bicoherence (phase consistency),
Biphase (phase difference),
Bimodulation (magnitude consistency), and
Band Ratio (magnitude difference between frequencies,
same site, e.g., theta/beta ratios). If more
frequencies were including, spectral entropy would
also squeeze in here along with relative magnitude, a
noisy version of SE.

Connectivity Table 2. Shared activity between sites,
between frequency. Selection by equals. Division of
labor connectivity.
Cross-bicoherence (phase consistency),
Cross-biphase (phase difference),
Cross-bimodulation (magnitude consistency), and
Cross-band Ratio (magnitude difference between
frequencies, different sites, e.g., frontal
theta/central beta ratio).

EEG transitions, when network activity impacts local
events, or vice versa, may be measured as well. I
call them transformational properties, and they refer
to the connection or disconnection between local and
network responses. In four Asperger syndrome
individuals we observe spectral magnitude values
inconsistent with network changes, as measured by
global comodulation. Energy was poorly correlated
with network traffic in this small group compared to
healthy adults, which may suggest too much focality
in information processing. Energy changes were too
localized, without attendant changes in network
traffic. In normal individuals we see a greater
coupling of energy and network action. Network
synchrony may fuel local cortical events, or vice
versa. This is just one way in which intelligence
shows lower coupling to normative standards.

When most people think of synchrony measures in EEG
they think of coherence. Coherence is a measure of
phase consistency between signals developed
apparently by Norbert Weiner and colleagues to
understand quantum mechanics and other avenues of
research. Early pioneers in the application of
coherence analysis in EEG are Walter (1968), Orr and
Naitoh, 1976; and Thatcher (1992). How to compute
coherence is clearly described by Thatcher et al.
(2007; online). Comodulation, on the other hand, is a
complementary measure, one based on magnitude and not
phase, orthogonal to coherence. Comodulation is
magnitude consistency between EEG signals (Kaiser,
1994) and is very easy to calculate compared to
coherence. Compute magnitude of a frequency at each
moment in time for two sites and Pearson product
moment correlate the magnitudes across time. The
orthogonal nature of these two measures is obvious in
definition -- phase consistency, magnitude
consistency -- and in their computation. Coherence is
spectral analysis of correlation coefficients and
comodulation is correlation of spectral coefficients.

Short moving segments provide a fluidic and
point-like representation of energy or timing
changes, so the above tables can be extended into the
time dimension as well.

Coherence measures stability of phase between
signals. Shared timing indicates a common origin
(degrees of freedom, none). Comodulation measures
stability of amplitude between signals Shared energy
indicates functional unity. Energy is independence,
higher degrees of freedom. Both are across time.
Coherence averages across time (sameness) whereas
Comod evaluates changes across time (differences).
Coherence quantifies the degree of similar influences
and comodulation quantifies the degree of similar
autonomy

In comodulation we are looking at shared energies,
coherence shared timings. If these definitions don't
grab you, metaphorically or mathematically, try
stability of phase difference and stability of
magnitude difference.

For certain brain functions magnitude consistency
between brain areas may be more important than
coherence; for other functions, phase consistency may
be. In many cases there is no clear preference. That
said, we should keep in mind that comodulation,
coherence, and any feasible assortment of spectral
indices are but a few of the parameters that may
relate brain function to mental function.
Non-spectral measures, or medians and other
derivatives such as slope or variability, mobility or
complexity may prove useful in mapping brain to mind.
Quantitative EEG needs to incorporate some of the
promising new approaches to shed more light on the
informational vortex that envelopes brain behavior.
To date, it has barely scratched the surface.

Early phase descriptions
Adrian EDK & Yamagiwa (1935) The origin of the Berger
rhythm, Brain, 58 323-351.

Motokawa K & Tuziguti K (1944). Alpha phases in EEG
activity. Japanese Journal of Medical Sciences, 10,
23-38.

Computation of Coherence
Goodman, N.R. (1957, diss.). On the joint estimation
of the spectra, cospectrum and quadrature spectrum of
a two- dimensional stationary Gaussian process.
Princeton Univ. JW Tukey advisor

Walter DO. (1961).Spectral analysis for
electroencephalograms: mathematical determination of
neurophysiological relationships from records of
limited duration. Experimental Neurology, 8, 151-181.

Early magnitude descriptions
Berger H. (1929). Ueber das Elektroenkephalogramm des
Menschen. Archiv Psy Nerv, 87, 527-570.

Dietsch, G. (1932). Fourier-analyse von
Elektrenkephalog. des Menschen. Pflüger's Arch. Ges.
Physiol., 230, 106-112.

Computation of Comodulation
Kaiser, DA. (1994, diss.). Interest in Films as
Measured by Subjective & Behavioral Ratings and
Topographic EEG. UCLA. MB Sterman, advisor

Sterman, M.B. & Kaiser, D.A. (1999). Topographic
analysis of spectral density co-variation: normative
database and clinical assessment. Clinical
Neurophysiology, 110 (S1), S80.

-DK

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News & Reviews

NEW BOOKS

ADD in The Workplace: Choices, Changes, and Challenges
by Kathleen G. Nadeau
Discusses ways to maintain an optimal work environment for ADD adults.
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ 0876308477/eegspectrum

The Neuropsychiatry of Epilepsy
by Michael Trimble, Bettina Schmitz
Recent findings for epilepsy and behavior disorders.
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521005167/eegspectrum

Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason
by Michel Foucault
A timely look back at a classic (which is an oxymoronic statement, I guess).
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ 067972110X/eegspectrum

The Computer and the Brain
by John von Neumann
A giant of 20th century mathematics and his thoughts on the brain and
intelligence. --www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ 0300024150/eegspectrum

Journeys Through ADDulthood
by Sari Solden
A response to how ADHD treatment focuses on overcoming its symptoms rather than
leading a fulfilling life. --
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802713769/eegspectrum

Starting Again: Early Rehabilitation After Traumatic Brain Injury
by Patricia M. Davies
Practical advice on physical rehab of brain injured patients.
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0387559345/eegspectrum

Beethoven's Anvil: Music in Mind and Culture
by William L. Benzon
Speculation on how emotion and physiology combine in music-making.
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0465015441/ eegspectrum

Asperger's: What Does It Mean to Me?
by Catherine Faherty
Workbook to help child learn more about himself.
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1885477597/eegspectrum


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JOURNAL PAPERS

Coherence in ADHD and excess beta activity : Excessive beta power in ADHD
children may be evidence of a frontal lobe dysfunction in this subtype.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17502165


No neurochemical evidence for brain injury caused by heading in soccer. :
Repeated low severity head impacts were not associated with neurochemical signs
of brain injury.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17496068


Grandchildren at Risk for Depression Differ in EEG Asymmetry. : Grandchildren
with depressed parent and grandparent showed relatively less right than left
hemisphere activity.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17481594


Can behavioural therapy influence neuromodulation? : Reviews behavioral therapy
impact on CNS function.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17508158


Testosterone-related disorders in women with autism spectrum conditions. :
Androgen theory of autism evaluated by surveying women with autism spectrum
conditions. These women more often exhibited irregular menstrual cycle,
epilepsy, and tomboyism, among other conditions.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17462645


Complementary and alternative medicine for epilepsy in Midwest : Nearly 2 in 5
epileptics surveyed used CAMs, including prayer/spirituality, "mega" vitamins,
and stress management (16%).
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17459780


Electrophysiological activity underlying inhibition in late-life depression :
Frontal dysfunction in the depressed group was observed in p300b measure for
Go/NoGo task.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17462822


Topographic brain: from neural connectivity to cognition. : Broader
understanding of topographic maps may link genetics, neurophysiology and
cognition.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17462748


Correlation between EEG rhythms during sleep: surface versus mediotemporal EEG.
: Power density is negatively correlated between delta/theta and beta
frequencies above 16 Hz during NREM sleep.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17471077


Event-related functional MRI study of working memory in euthymic bipolar
disorder. : Widespread fronto-cortico- limbic dysfunction may be inherent in
bipolar disorder.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17476364


EEG power and coherence in dyslexic children : Dyslexic children show increased
slow activity in frontal and right temporal regions
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17472228
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Events & Locations

Upcoming Courses

A Pathway to Brain Regulation - Neurofeedback helps improve
neuroregulation. It's used by health care professionals for ADHD,
depression, anxiety disorders, LD, mood disorders, and behavioral
problems. This 4-day course, Neurofeedback in a Clinical Practice,
provides the basis for using Neurofeedback clinically. - *28 CEs

4-Day Comprehensive Course Dates (subject to change)

* Glensdale CA Aug 23-26
* Alexandria VA Sep 6-9
* Chicago IL Sep 27-30

Our course is a hands-on experience right from the start. Attendees
consistently say this format is a very good way to learn
Neurofeedback.

"Neurofeedback should be viewed as one of the three essential or
primary forms of intervention - psychotherapy, psychopharmacology,
and Neurofeedback. In my experience, neurofeedback is every bit as
important and powerful as the other two forms of treatment." - Dr.
Laurence Hirshberg of Brown University Medical School, a
psychologist specializing in Developmental Disorders and Autism.

Contact Karie Kramer, our training coordinator, for more information
818-789-3456 ext 847 or see www.eegspectrum.com/ Training

*EEG Spectrum International, Inc. is approved by the APA to offer
continuing education to psychologists. ESII maintains responsibility
for the program.


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Conferences for Neurofeedback Clinicians & Researchers

CONFERENCE LOCATION DATES

ISNR - www.isnr.org San Diego, CA Sep 6-9, 2007
AAPB - www.aapb.org Daytona Beach, FL May 13-18, 2008

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Last Word


QEEG in your future


As the first decade of 21st century heads for a
close, expect more electrodes in your future.
Laplacian training, Brodmann area training (tm).
Quantitative EEG technologies have enormous potential
in supplementing and possibly supplanting current
psychological measures and modalities. The reason for
this can be reduced to a handful of strengths or
advantages over the current host of subjective and
behavioral aproaches. Subjective measures typically
involve questions -- surveys, questionnaires, rating
scales, forced choices -- and behavioral measures
involve keypads, triggers, stopwatches, and cameras.
One measures the mind's output, the other the body's.
Then there is psychophysiology -- the brain's
output-- a middle ground.

An interesting question (to neurofeedback clinicians)
would be whether the strengths of qEEG exist in EEG
biofeedback and cross over into mental health
treatment. There are five general properties of qEEG
that are advantageous compared to most subjective or
behavioral measures. These are:

high temporal resolution
moderate functional resolution
passive (unobtrusive) measure
intrinsic & quantitative responses (not arbitrary or
conventional)
circumvents consciousness

I don't have room to go into each of these
properties, but the last one should have caught your
eye: EEG circumvents consciousness. The success of
alpha-theta training for PTSD and other conditions
may be due to its ability to suppress self-
consciousness. Temporarily suppressed, the individual
now has the freedom to process traumatic events
freely, without attacks of emotions or anxiety. Many
of the affective disorders described in DSM-IV might
be better understood as faulty consciousness which
have become "calcified" through great use until such
short-circuits are essentially hard-wired throughout
the brain. In other words, consciousness may not only
interfere with mental health treatments, but may be
the primary source of such conditions. This may be
why children suffer from certain mental health
conditions but not others. Young minds are only
equipped with an early sense of self-consciousness,
if any, as they retain non-self-conscious elements
such as egocentrism and non-private mentality.

Pharmocological modalities also circumvent
consciousness -- and perhaps herein lies much of
their success. They too have modest functional
resolution and can be unobtrusive and intrinsic.
Perhaps the only advantage EEG biofeedback might have
over chemicals is a temporal one, and possibly a
slight functional one (at least for awhile), but then
again I suspect that EEG has a number of advantages
over drugs that my consciousness cannot put into
words.

-DK (Slight revision)

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