But how well? If anyone has access to this study, I sure would like to see the numbers. It might be that modification of our exercise routines and the addition of some simple hardware to generate feedback plus meditation (recently shown to stimulate neuron growth) could make the difference.


"'Self-regulation of brain activity in humans based on real-time feedback is emerging as a powerful technique. In this study, we assessed whether patients with Parkinson's disease are able to alter their brain activity to improve their motor function.

'We found that the five patients who received neurofeedback were able to increase activity in brain networks important for movements and that this intervention resulted in an overall improvement in motor speed - in this case, finger tapping.'"

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...#ixzz1dmU9UtOT

Rick,

Here's a bit more on it:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15644449

Practices such as tai chi and qigong have similar effects in brain retraining.

and this gives some numbers:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21137

If we know that something can be done, we will do it! The docs can no longer ethically tell us that PD is not treatable, just that we don't know how yet but here is what we do know. And if they can reach 37% the first time out of the chute....???

It isn't a drug or devise, so the FDA can take a leap and it won't cost an arm or leg. MJFF, find a way to push this one.



1. J Neurosci. 2011 Nov 9;31(45):16309-17.

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback for treatment of
Parkinson's disease.

Subramanian L, Hindle JV, Johnston S, Roberts MV, Husain M, Goebel R, Linden D.

Schools of Psychology and Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2AS,
United Kingdom, Schools of Medicine and Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff
CF14 4XN, United Kingdom, School of Social Sciences, Brunel University, Uxbridge
UB8 1BY, United Kingdom, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College
London, London WC1N 3AR, United Kingdom, and Department of Cognitive
Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Self-regulation of brain activity in humans based on real-time feedback of
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signal is emerging as a potentially
powerful, new technique. Here, we assessed whether patients with Parkinson's
disease (PD) are able to alter local brain activity to improve motor function.
Five patients learned to increase activity in the supplementary motor complex
over two fMRI sessions using motor imagery. They attained as much activation in
this target brain region as during a localizer procedure with overt movements.
Concomitantly, they showed an improvement in motor speed (finger tapping) and
clinical ratings of motor symptoms (37% improvement of the motor scale of the
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale). Activation during neurofeedback was
also observed in other cortical motor areas and the basal ganglia, including the
subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus, which are connected to the supplementary
motor area (SMA) and crucial nodes in the pathophysiology of PD. A PD control
group of five patients, matched for clinical severity and medication, underwent
the same procedure but did not receive feedback about their SMA activity. This
group attained no control of SMA activation and showed no motor improvement.
These findings demonstrate that self-modulation of cortico-subcortical motor
circuits can be achieved by PD patients through neurofeedback and may result in
clinical benefits that are not attainable by motor imagery alone.

PMID: 22072682 [PubMed - in process]

I will cut the field of neurology a little slack as it wasn't too long ago they thought we could not generate new neurons.

However, given what Buddhists know and have practiced for ages can now be measured, they have shown that our brains are so plastic that we can actually re-hardwire our neurons. I have seen results with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which depending on counselor is linked to mindfulness meditation; both CBT and meditation offer the benefit of changing negative thought patterns...the CBT is a more "logical" approach for those skeptical of alternative therapies. I had been experiencing stress induced freezing and by gradually exposing myself to situations that triggered it and applying CBT methods, they for the most part do not occur anymore. I also used a visualization technique.

I am beginning to think that in a way, PD is one hell of a learning disorder. Whether we call it meditation, biofeedback, or CBT, it is all the same thing. We are retraining feedback loops between mind and body. Oh yes, the mind, the whole person...the very thing that Western medicine has forever ignored.

Oh and here is a great link... Neurogenesis: How to grow your own neurons


I would love to see any one of these practical can-do suggestions go up against Azilect in a clinical trial...

Laura

That is indeed a great link on neurogenesis

Hey Rick, I think I've "met" you over at patients like me or another PD forum.

I am looking at buying a well rated yet inexpensive GSR bio feedback device to improve my concentration & focus.

In the past, before PD, I have been able to focus very clearly, sharply &
deeply for long stretches, but now....

Which brings me to my second ?: has anyone here used a biofedback device to work with stress reduction and/or focus sharpening?

If so, what is the effect on the PD symptoms?

George

I am considering going to an office today that does neurofeedback/ EEG biofeedback.
Will let you all know if this is something that I feel will help us..after reading the info on the site the office told me to look at www.BrainCoreTherapy.com I decided to check them out. The initial exam is free...so nothing to lose.

I'm not sure how this is different from "regular" biofeedback...I watched the intro. video and read some of the site, but it looks like much of what I know as biofeedback.

If anyone has done this, can they share how this neurofeedback is different from biofeedback?

Well, I went to the office and they did an evaluation. Said my brain waves were good...just showed stiffening of muscles toward the end of the session (which at the time I had sat too long and was ready to move and take my tincture) Still have a lot to think about with this (to try to comprehend it all) They gave me a pamphlet to read and it will take me a couple of days to get to it...(very busy week) ....will try to give you a quick summary when I get the chance to read more about it. Very interesting is my only comment right now