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

Vol. 8 No. 3 - March 2005

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 the author's only. Copyright (C) 2005
by EEG Spectrum Intl, Inc. or David Kaiser. All rights reserved.
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Announcements - News
In the Spotlight - Comodulation explained
News & Reviews - Books & journal papers
Events & Locations - Conferences, Courses
Last Word - Dividing by zero

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Brain chip reads man's thoughts
Neural disease researcher melds optics and computer software
College May Buff Up Aging Brains
Some 'Senior Moments' Are Signs of Epilepsy
Rainbow Coalition of the Brain
Big Brains Not Always Better
Bird Brains Get Some New Names, And New Respect
Brain Immaturity Could Explain Teen Crash Rate
Special caps fight brain damage
New method captures brain cells in action
Booze boosts brainpower
Hole in heart link to serious migraine

All links at:
http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid=34&in=science&cat=brain_research

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In the Spotlight

Comodulation explained

In 1994 I invented comodulation, a measure of synchrony that is
currently being used by a number of clinicians. Signal similarities
in time domain are determined by cross-correlation (Brazier et al,
1952; 1959) whereas in frequency domain are determined by two
properties, coherence (Walter, 1968; Thatcher, 1992) and
comodulation (Sterman & Kaiser, 2001; Kaiser, 1994). Comodulation
was created to refute the low spatial resolution hypothesis of EEG
topography (e.g., volume conduction, Nunez, 1990.) If surface EEG
did not reflect cortical potentials well, all neighbors would be
equally correlated with each other. I found that correlations are
most robust within gross functional boundaries, disconfirming the
low spatial resolution idea.

When most people think of synchrony measures they think of
coherence. Coherence is a measure of phase relationship between EEG
signals (Walter, 1968) To calculate Coherence (Thatcher, 1992, but
calculating for magnitude, not power)

1. Compute cross-spectra for two signals
- cosine and sine coefficients for same frequency
- calculate cospectrum & quaspectrum
2. Compute cross-spectrum amplitude
3. Multiply auto-spectral amplitude of A & B
4. Divide cross-spectra by auto-spectra of both signals


This gives magnitude coherence, not power coherence. Coherence (Coh
for short) ranges from 0 to 1.0

Comodulation, on the other hand, is a measure of amplitude
relationship between EEG signals (Kaiser, 1994), and is far simplier
to calculate. Compute amplitude for a frequency at each moment in
time, then correlate amplitudes of two sites across time for entire
state. Short moving segments provide a fluidic and point-like
representation of comodulatory energy. Comod values ranges from -1.0
to 1.0

Coherence measures stability of phase between signals. Shared timing
indicates a common origin (df=0). 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

If the definitions above don't do it for you metaphorically or
mathematically, try stability of phase difference, or amplitude
difference, may be clearer. And stability is equivalent with
consistency, conformity, congruity, correspondence, similarity,
stationarity, harmony. Unity akin to integration, reconciliation,
consolidation, synthesis, orchestration, blend, arrangement, all
leading to percept formation, that is, perception, a shared moment
between brain sites

In comodulation we are looking at shared energies -- even a child
can understand this. In two related measures of comodulation, one
shows ADD kids with less global comodulation, less coordination
across the head. In another, called Rogue Site Analysis (RSA), which
I'll explain here eventually, I index which part of the cortex is
most often involved in disrupting the dominant frequency, which goes
rogue most often. It's this site that direct the transformation of
processing. The cool thing about RSA is that although no reliable
differences in normals, each normal person has a very reliable
pattern, probably showing the nature dispersion patterns they stay
in, what is most rewarding for them. In ADHD, the motor site C4 was
significantly different than controls during eyes closed, and the
visual site O2 by Asperger's children during eyes open. Both have
intuitive appeal. I also found evidence of focality in Asperger's --
not using the full cortex in processing.

Synchrony appears to be the primary state. The neuron is an
autorhythmic system and we develop a go-to part of the brain to
break synchrony, and one form of illness (ADHD, autism) is
over-reliance on these areas, but I'll have to prove that later.

-DK
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News & Reviews

Framing ADHD Children: A Critical Examination of the History,
Discourse...
by Adam Rafalovich
Examines the three social worlds of ADHD: home, classroom, and
clinic.

Traumatic Brain Injury: Associated Speech, Language, and Swallowing
Disorders
by Kim Lourinia
Case studies illustrate assessment and treatment of communicative
and swallowing disorders in adults and children.

Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think
by Dennis Greenberger, Christine Padesky
Workbook for therapy clients suffering from mood, addiction, and
relationship problems

Clinical Neurophysiology at the Beginning of the 21st Century
by International Congress
Global view of the role of clinical neurophysiology.

The Brainstorms Woman: Epilepsy in Our Lives
by Steven C Schachter, et al
Describes how seizures affect female hormones over the menstrual
cycle and at menopause.

Electroencephalography: Basic Principles, Clinical Applications, and
Related Fields
by Ernst Niedermeyer, Fernando Lopes Da Silva
The one and only classic textbook on EEG. An incredible resource.

St. John's Wort And Its Active Principles In Depression And Anxiety
by Walter E. Muller
Reviews biochemical, functional, and behavioural pharmacology of
Hypericum and its active constituents.

Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging: Linking Cognitive and Cerebral
Aging
by Roberto Cabeza, et al
Effects of aging on neural activity during cognitive functions such
as perception, attention and memory. Also describes normal versus
abnormal/clinical decline.

Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine
by Meir H. Kryger, et al
Encompasses pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders
resulting from disruptions of sleep-wake cycles and circadian
rhythm.

The Body Remembers: The Psychophysiology of Trauma and Trauma
Treatment
by Babette Rothschild
Somatic memory of trauma experienced is discussed with case studies.

Wider than the Sky: The Phenomenal Gift of Consciousness
by Gerald M. Edelman
How do neurons give rise to subjectivity? From Nobel Laureate.
Pertinent findings of modern neuroscience

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JOURNAL PAPERS

What is the most effective treatment for ADHD in children? :
Combination drug therapies offer no advantage to stimulants alone
unless it addresses a comorbidity.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15689294

Neurobiological findings in bipolar disorders : Neurobiological
studies do not differentiate bipolar I from bipolar II subtypes
despite genetic evidence of differences.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15679202

Resting cortical brain activity and social behavior in higher
functioning children with autism. : High functioning autistics with
right frontal EEG asymmetry were more socially impaired than a left
asymmetry group, but the latter reported more social anxiety and
stress, and less satisfaction with interpersonal relations.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15679529

Supportive neurodevelopmental evidence for ADHD as a developmental
disorder. : Maturation of the right orbitofrontal cortex, which
dominates both sympathetic and parasympathetic limbic systems, is
essential for the regulation of emotion.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15694693

EEG abnormalities and two year outcome in first episode psychosis. :
Patients with normal EEG show more reduction in positive and
negative symptoms of psychoses over 2 years.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15701105

Effectiveness of neurofeedback and stimulant drugs in treating
AD/HD. Replication. : Neurofeedback produced patient outcomes
equivalent to those obtained with stimulant drugs (n=31 matched
groups).
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15707253

Is anterior cingulate cortex necessary for cognitive control? : Four
subjects with damage to dACC showed normal adjustments in
performance following manipulation of response conflict in Stroop
and go-no go tasks. Cognitive control appears to be intact in these
patients.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15705613

Quantitative electroencephalography patterns in patients suffering
from tinnitus. : Gender differences in QEEG were found: increased
average total power in female tinnitus patients and decreased
average total power in male patients.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15732509

Laterality of motor control revisited: directionality of callosal
traffic : Interesting argument against non-dominant hemispheric
input to motor control. If it turns out to be true, it would be very
useful for assessment and treatment issues.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15736003

Sex differences in brain activation during stress imagery in
abstinent cocaine users : Females show more activation in left
middle frontal, anterior cingulate, and inferior frontal cortices
and insula during stress imagery, possibly because they use a more
verbal coping strategy than males.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15737663

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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


Chicago IL, May 19-22
Alexandria, VA Jun 23-26

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.


Conferences for Neurofeedback Clinicians & Researchers
CONFERENCE LOCATION DATES

SABA - http://www.skiltopo.com Anchorage AK Jun 6-12
ISNR - http://www.isnr.org Denver CO Sep 8-11
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Last Word

Dividing by zero and the fiction of mathematical functions

This is the draft of a paper I'm working on that started out as an
EEG paper -- power versus magnitude values -- and why magnitude is
needed in the world-to-brain-to-mind correspondence.

If the relationship between a single specified time series
(e.g., 0 1 1 0 1) and its frequency spectrum can be equivalently derived by
two or more mathematical functions (e.g., fourier analysis,
non/recursive filters, moving averages/difference/ratios, Haar's
wavelets, higher-order cross correlation, return maps, maximum
entropy, state space methods, etc.), then each of these functions
are one and the same function (relation) despite superficial
computational differences. And if one relationship (time and
frequency) can be described by more than one computational method,
all mathematical relationships can and do have multiple (actually
infinite) computational surfaces, such as variants where
coefficients are set to zero. As every relationship has a countably
infinite number of surface appearances or functions, no surface
function is any more valid than any other surface function, and all
are equally poor when they approach division by zero. Therefore no
surface function can be the deep relationship, parsimony or other
considerations notwithstanding.

A relationship cannot be specified by any function. A relationship
can only be described by the entire set of corresponding values in
both domains. Thus mathematical functions are a convenient fiction.
There are no rules in math, only relations. Of interest,
relationships do not possess the property of sequence or successive
order.

I make the supposition that real numbers that do not relate to
positive integers do no exist, but this is a side argument, and also
all infinities are countable and no uncountable infinities can
exist, have any reality, again a side argument.

Down to the matter: For f(x) equals x divided by 0, as the
denominator approaches 0, the relationship increases linearly until
it reaches a maximum degrees of freedom which is c. c is the degrees
of freedom of the representation and a unitless measure of the speed
of light.

Inside a singularity the degrees of freedom is 5. This means x
divided by 0 equals c inside a singularity. This messes with math if
it was outside the singularity because 1=5, and 2=4, and 0 not equal
to 0, etc, but inside it makes perfect sense.

The value of c informs us of the number of times the universe we are
experiencing has been created. Essentially it tells us that there
have been five starting points or zeros, five times the nothingness
was divided by zero.

The first division by zero created a singularity, which we
experience in the physical world as electromagnetism and in the
mental world as Being. (This exactly follows the Bible: In the
beginning God created the heaven and the earth...God said, "Let
there be light" and there was light.)

The second division by zero was the most troubling, as all
subsequent divisions are orthogonal (wholly and entirely
independent) to the prior one. Orthogonal to singularity is
symmetry, which is experienced physically as the weak nuclear force
and mentally as Non-Being, where all of our fears derive.

The third division by zero was orthogonal to symmetry and that is
infinity,. The physical force felt by this division is the strong
nuclear force holding matter together. The mental experience is
form.

The fourth division by zero is orthogonal to infinity, and that is
relation, derived first by the whole/part relationship, physicalized
as time, and mentalized as word ("In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the
beginning with God. All things were made by him" for the Bible was
right there again).

The fifth division by zero was order, experienced as number, and
mentalized as unity and order. And unity is singularity once again.
The cycle repeats. The 4 dimensions we experience, width, length,
height, and time are 4 of the 5, but inside the singularity the
fifth is known and known well.
-DK
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