Brain Stimulation for Hard to Treat Mental Conditions
 

(Psych Central News) http://psychcentral.com/news/u/2009/...conditions.jpgClinical trials to investigate the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in hard-to-treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette's syndrome are underway at multiple medical centers around the world.The research is discussed in a review found in the June ... ...


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From Psych Central News.

From TSA-USA
Tourette Syndrome Association

Statement: Deep Brain Stimulation and Tourette Syndrome
Following is a statement from TSA Medical and Scientific Advisors

http://www.tsa-usa.org/news/DBSStatement.htm

PubMed
Patient selection and assessment recommendations for deep brain stimulation in Tourette syndrome.
Mink JW, Walkup J, Frey KA, Como P, Cath D, Delong MR, Erenberg G, Jankovic J, Juncos J, Leckman JF, Swerdlow N, Visser-Vandewalle V, Vitek JL; Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc.

Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA.

Full Text PDF
Wiley InterScience - Movement Disorders, Volume 21, Issue 11 (p 1831-1838)
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/c...28982/PDFSTART

This sounds a lot like EEG neurofeedback. Neurofeedback has been shown to be extremely effective for treatment of tic disorders.

The relevant brainwave is the SMR rhythm, which is deep in the brain. The neurofeedback games target the SMR rhythm, and the player has to slowly raise his/her SMRs in order to play the game. Over a few sessions, the SMRs train themselves into a more normal rhythm, and the tics go away.

I know because I saw it happen for my son. Tic free and happy.

Hi Nancy
this article relates to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) which is somewhat different from neurofeedback

there are anecdotal reports of neurofeedback needing to be used with caution in those with tics caused by Tourette Syndrome, with comorbid OCD

did your son have Tourette tics? or another tic disorder?