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

Vol. 8 No. 10 - October 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 - Sex Differences
News & Reviews - Books & journal papers
Events & Locations - Conferences, Courses
Last Word - Twenty Online Resources
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Announcements


FDA Approves Brain Stem Cell Transplant
Your Brain Remembers What You Forget
Memory loss link to early stress
Study Suggests Fish Is Good for Brain
Brain Dysfunction May Link Suicide, Epilepsy
Some Minds Appear Wired to Lie
Science chips away at ALD

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

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In the Spotlight

Sex Differences

A baby is born. The parents ask whether it is healthy, whether it has all 10
fingers and 10 toes. But society asks -- first in the form of friends and
interested onlookers -- whether it a boy or a girl. Behavioral sciences haven't
really helped matters. Gender research is often a drunk looking for his car keys
under a bright streetlight; the keys were lost in a dark alley but the light is
so much brighter here. Commonalities are ignored, differences highlighted. Well,
differences are important, especially when they train us to make proper
decisions about an individual's treatment or care. But overall, when I think of
gender, I'm reminded of the advice given by my undergraduate playwriting
professor. He once instructed me and other male students that if we had trouble
writing a female character, unsure how she should think or act, we were to write
a male character and at the last moment change his name to Sue.

Beyond nominal differences biological predispositions for each sex do exist.
Genetically, one's physical sex is determined by chromosomes, gender less so.
Our species' chromosomes code for various forms of sexually dimorphism, the most
obvious being physical size. Human males generally outweigh females, 170 lb to
135 lbs. (But we often forget how much larger girls were than boys prior to
puberty.) Chromosomes also code for slightly larger male brains, 1350 g to 1190
g (Klekamp et al 1989, Zilles, 1972; Wessely, 1970; & Witelson, 1985), to
control the additional body mass. The size of the corpus callosum, a major
axonal bundles between left and right cortices, reveals sex differences but more
importantly handedness differences. So often gender differences are conflated
with handedness and hormonal differences. As it turns out, right-handed
individuals exhibit less callosal area than non-right-handers, regardless of
gender, 20 % less in males, 7 % less in females. Bermudez & Zatorre (2001)
reported relatively a larger splenium (posterior section) in females compared to
males; this part of the corpus callosum is most involved in perceptual processes
and may explain perceptual processing differences (below).

In terms of relative brain area sizes, women have larger language areas (Harasty
et al, 1997), lateral frontal areas (Schlaepfer et al, 1995) and more densely
packed neurons in temporal (Witelson et al 1995) and prefrontal areas (Witleson
et al., 2001). Men show larger medial frontal areas (Goldstein et al, 2001),
larger cingulate (Paus et al 1996), amygdala and hypothalamus (Swaab et al,
1985), more white matter volume (Gur et al, 1999), and more neurons overall
(Pakkenberg & Gunderson, 1997). Anatomy can only take one so far. To find out
how each gender tends to utilize their 3-lb universe differently, how each
gender builds up a different mental and behavior repertoire, we need to examine
behavior.

In the current century most of us will see four times as many days than our
prehistoric ancestors, and women will see more than men (below). Here are median
age lifespans by era:

Prehistoric Times 18
Ancient Greece 20
Middle Ages, England 33
1620, Massachusetts 35
1850, England 41
1900, USA 47
1915, USA 54
1954, USA 70
1992, USA 75



Millions at 65 years of age or older
1900 1940 1980 2040
Male 4 5 10 30
Female 5 6 18 36


Females took advantage of last century's advances in hygiene, nutrition, and of
course obstetrics but males are predicted to
close the gap in coming years, so we may be living in an unusual point in human
history, with so many females currently outliving males.

In terms of performance, men throw and catch better (Hall & Kimura, 1995), women
are better at fine motor skills (Nicholson & Kimura, 1996). Men surpass women in
mental rotation (Collins & Kimura, 1997), navigation (Astur et al, 2002), and
geographical knowledge (Beatty & Troster, 1987), which is why we hate to ask
directions, but females excel at spatial memory (McBurney et al, 1997), so they
can remember the directions better once asked. Girls have an early advantage
over boys in math and continue to show excellence at computation (Hyde et al,
1990) whereas men excel at mathematical reasoning (Benbow, 1988). Women excel at
sensory sensitivity (Velle, 1987), perceptual speed (Majeres, 1983), facial and
body expression (Hall 1984), as well as visual recognition memory (McGivern et
al, 1998) and women are better at associational aspects of verbal ability such
as fluency tasks (Hines, 1991) and rote word list learning (Kramer et al.,
1988), although inherently organized verbal information (e.g., stories) show no
consistent sex differences (Baxter & Seidenberg, 1997). Finally, men excel at
aggression (any newspaper). Viva la difference.

Females may or may not have greater bihemispheric representation of language
than males: aphasia is nearly 4 times as common in males after left hemisphere
damage (48% in males vs. 13% in females) but no sex differences occur with right
brain damage (2% males, 1% females). Brain organization differences may be more
intrahemispheric than interhemispheric as aphasia occurs commonly in women with
left hemisphere anterior damage (80 % of cases) but no lesion location
association is seen for male aphasics. Similarly, apraxia, or difficulty in
selecting hand movements, is associated with left frontal damage in women and
with left posterior damage in men. In terms of functional neuroimaging
differences, men typically show greater cerebral asymmetries (EEG, Corsi-Cabrera
et al, 1997; MEG ,Reite et al, 1995, fMRI, Rossell et al., 2002). During
language tasks men activate left inferior frontal and fusiform gyri while women
showed a symmetrical pattern, with greater right-frontal and
right-middle-temporal activity (Rossell et al., 2002).

Overall, sex differences exist, and cultural influences often magnify these
differences and underestimate commonalities. Possible mechanisms responsible for
these differences include

Interhemispheric: Females have greater callosal connectivity
Intrahemispheric: Language organization differs by gender
Strategic: Females employ verbal strategies more often (even for spatial tasks)
Mediated by other traits such as handedness, cognitive style, maturation
variables, and of course hormonal differences.

Heck, let's blame it all on testosterone. It's been the scapegoat for 40 years
now, why change horses midstream?

-DK
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News & Reviews

NEW BOOKS

Principles of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
by George P. Prigatano
Written for professionals; discusses remediation of higher cerebral
disturbances and management of patients' interpersonal problems.
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0195081439/eegspectrum

Magnetic Resonance in Epilepsy: Neuroimaging Techniques, Second Edition
by Ruben Kuzniecky, Graeme D. Jackson
Overview of new technology in the assessment and treatment of epilepsy.
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ 0124311520/eegspectrum

Anxiety Disorders in Adults: A Clinical Guide
by Vladan Starcevic
Each adult anxiety disorder is reviewed in a separate chapter.
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0195156064/ eegspectrum

Detection of Change: Event-Related Potential and fMRI Findings
by John Polich
Reviews a range of experimental studies using stimulus change paradigms, with
clinical data augmenting the utility of the methods.
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1402073933/eegspectrum

Learning Outside The Lines: Two Ivy League Students With Learning Disabilities
...
by Jonathan Mooney, David Cole
Practical guide to achieving postschool goals who those labelled LD or ADHD.
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ 068486598X/eegspectrum

Anxiety Disorders in Children
by Samuel M. Turner, Deborah C. Beidel
Newest venture into a topic sorely overlooked.
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0415947979/eegspectrum

Localization and Neuroimaging in Neuropsychology
by Andrew Kertesz
Reviews progress in neuroimaging, localization of cognitive functions
--www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/012405045X/ eegspectrum

Responding To Physical And Sexual Abuse In Women With Alcohol And Other Drugs
BM Veysey, C Clark
Addresses lack of appropriate services for women trauma survivors with mental
health and substance use disorders. --
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0789026031/eegspectrum
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JOURNAL PAPERS

Effects of Traumatic Stress on Brain Structure and Function : Addresses how we
might most effectively deal with period immediately after traumatization in
order to prevent longer term psychopathology.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16150669


Mechanism for cognitive dynamics: neuronal coherence. : A flexible pattern of
neuronal coherence produces flexible communication between cells and thereby
cognitive flexibility.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16150631


Shifting-Related Brain Magnetic Activity in ADHD : Data support frontal
dysfunction models of ADHD but also suggest earlier limbic deficits
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16154541


Recurrence of post traumatic stress disorder. : Traumatic events can produce
stress symptoms up to 50 years later.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16161324


Human anterior cingulate cortex neurons encode cognitive and emotional demands.
: Causal anterior cingulate cortex may act as salience detectors when faced with
conflict or emotional stimuli.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16162922


Alcoholic neurobiology: changes in dependence and recovery. : Alcohol
dependence presents with mild to moderate impairment in executive functions,
visuospatial abilities, and postural stability, with intact memory and language
skills.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16156047


Cost-Effectiveness of ADHD Treatments : Combined medical management and
behavioral treatment is more cost-effective in treating ADHD, especially if
comorbid disorders are present.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16135621


Neurophysiologic studies of brain plasticity in children with cerebral palsy. :
Quantitative EEG and visual and somatosensory evoked potentials in children
with CP shows evidence of repair.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16119632


Frontal lobe function in bipolar disorder: near-infrared spectroscopy study. :
Uni- and bipolar depressions were characterized by reduce and delayed frontal
lobe activations, respectively,.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16125979


Substance use disorders and the orbitofrontal cortex : Neuroimaging studies
show hypoactivity of the orbitofrontal cortex after detox, revealing its
important role in addiction.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16135857
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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)

Portland, OR Nov 10-13
Woodland Hills, CA Dec 8-11
San Antonio, TX Jan 19-22, 2006
Orlando, FL Feb 23-26
Phoenix, AZ Mar 23-26
Boston, MA Apr 20-23
Washington DC Jun 22-25


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

AAPB - http://www.aapb.org Portland OR Apr 6-10
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Last Word

Twenty Online Resources

Here are some of the best online resources available for neurotherapists and
other professionals.

Free Email: http://mail.yahoo.com, http://www.hotmail.com, http://www.gmail.com

Free Fax: http:/www.efax.com

Medline citations. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neuroscience Intro: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html

Brain Research News: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/Science/Brain_Research/

EEG News: http://news.google.com/news?q=eeg

Knowledge Network: http://www.nytimes.com/college/

Scientific articles: http://scholar.google.com

News coverage: http://news.google.com

Online Newspapers: http://www.metagrid.com, http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/

Discussion groups http://groups.yahoo.com

Neurofeedback groups: groups.yahoo.com/search?query=neurofeedback

Images: http://images.google.com

Time - http://www.arachnoid.com/abouttime

Statistics online: http://faculty.vassar.edu/lowry/VassarStats.html

Dictionary: http://www.m-w.com

Thesaurus: http://www.m-w.com

Synonyms: http://vancouver-webpages.com/synonyms.html

Translation Tools: http://babelfish.altavista.com,
http://www.google.com/language_tools

Psycholinguistic Tools: http://www.psy.uwa.edu.au/mrcdatabase/uwa_mrc.htm

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