Hi Everyone,

I am a big proponent of neurofeedback for MTBI (and in some cases, TBI). Mark went into some very good detail on the subject, but, if I may indulge myself, more is needed.

Your brain operates on different frequency levels, basically ranging from 0 - 60 Hz (it goes beyond 60, but thus far the relevant "cognitive" frequencies scientists have found are between 0-60 Hz). These have been grouped into frequency band classifications.
1. Delta Range
0-5 Hz range. The slowest frequency band. Expressed when we are
sleeping or in areas where the brain has been damaged.
2. Theta Range
5-8 Hz range. Still a very slow frequency band. Expressed when we
are first waking up from sleeping, right before you fall asleep,
daydreaming, not focused but awake. This is most prevalent in the
ADD group and in some brain injured people.
5. Alpha Range
8-12 Hz range. This is characteristic of an awake but idol individual.
Someone who is alert, but not doing anything. When you meditate,
this range is expressed. Peak alpha frequency, which is from 10-12
Hz, is associated with high intelligence. People with brain injuries
have a hard time producing this and training often is focused on this
frequency.
6. Beta Range
13-30 Hz. This is the every day frequency band that allows us to
function as human beings. Listening, talking, reading, thinking, etc.
are all done in this frequency range. Actually, too much of this can
cause agitation, anxiety, ruminating, stiff thinking, OCD, etc. Brain
inured patients will often have high levels of delta in one area, and
high levels of beta in another to compensate for the delta.

So, with neurofeedback, usually an assessment is performed to see where your brain is out of whack. Then, the you focus your training parameters on normalizing those EEG wavelenghts that are either too high or too low.

The research that was done on TBI patients with neurofeedback back when dinosaurs roamed the earth found that roughly 68% of the subjects being tested reported getting a 70% improvement in symptoms. This, in my opinion, would now be considered conservative because the technology has come a long way since those studies were done.

Neurofeedback can be very difficult for someone with PCS because you basically have to train around the dead neurons to get the functional ones to re organize and often requires 100+ sessions. However, it isn't impossible. Also, Mark is right in that it can get very expensive if you go to a practitioner. I found a solution to this by buying my own equipment and software. There is a guy who specializes helping out home trainers and he is more than willing to get you anything you need in the areas of equipment, trainint, software, etc. I don't benefit at all if you buy anything from him, so this isn't an endorsement. His name is Pete VanDueesen, and his website is: brain trainer . com. There are also many different forms of neurofeedback equipment you can buy, so it is definitely worth it to put in your research before you purchase. The three that have been extremely effective for brain injury rehab are: 1. The Proshi BB. 2. LENS. 3. 4 channel Z score training. I'll spare you the details on them. You can google them for more info. Also, don't let any neurofeedback practioner/therapist tell you that the technology is too complicate to figure out. That is a bunch of rubbish. It will require some training, but nothing a dvd or online practicum can't teach you. All in all, you can get set up with a basic unit, software and training for around $1500 and you can train on it as much as you want.

There are also a few medications that aren't prescribed in the U.S. which have been used in Europe and Asia since 1970 to treat brain injury. These two are Oxiracitum and Cerebrolysin. They both have undergone tons of research studies and have proven very effective in treating head injuries. They also have neuroprotective properties that are supposed to protect your brain from further injuries, although this is still in debate. It won't prevent you getting a concussion, it just helps minimize the damage occurred. Those of you who have had multiple concussions may want to seriously consider getting on one of these. Although, you would have to import it from Europe, so it may or may not be affordable for you. Just google it and you'll find tons of info on it.

Also, Dr. Daniel Amen has a wonderful website on what supplements and diet you should be on with a brain injury. His office offers free consultations and what stuff you should get - with the idea that you will buy it from them. But either way, it is good info to know. So, it is definitely worth giving them a call.

Last, but certainly not least, is Stem Cell Therapy. With the lift on the research funding ban imposed by President Bush, it is only a matter of 5 years before this becomes a viable option for brain rehabilitation.