I have discussed working memory training in various earlier posts, for example this one . Here is an interesting post from the grandson of the late inventor of Hemoencephalography (HEG) Neurofeedback, comparing it to Dual n-back, a simple working memory game of unbounded difficulty…
My grandfather invented and develops HEG. I worked with him in LA for a few months, and have one of his HEG devices in my possession.
My experience is that doing DNB often, but not always, gives me somewhat similar physical sensations in my head as when I do HEG at FP2 (above the right eyebrow). Doing DNB, I tend to feel my heartbeat more strongly in my head, my peripheral vision begins to fade, depth perception fades, and I get dizzy. Doing HEG, I feel my heartbeat much more strongly in my head underneath the HEG measurement site, occasionally my peripheral vision (and sometimes my more central vision) fades to white, I feel intensely – almost aggressively – focused, and I feel myself being pulled forward. This makes me think that in some domain, HEG and DNB are similar. I think DNB places very heavy demands on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which causes very high activation, metabolism, and blood flow in that area; when HEG is performed at FP2 (roughly DLPFC), it also causes very high activation, metabolism, and blood flow in that area.
That said, I think that DNB and HEG are also very different. DNB activates neurons based on their function, whereas HEG activates neurons based on their location. Function and location are correlated, but not all neurons in the DLPFC do things that help working memory and intelligence, whereas it’s likely that more of the neurons activated by DNB will. HEG is probably more intense than DNB usually is, though, since as you are training on metabolism instead of function, it’s likely that the local peak metabolic rate induced by HEG is greater than that usually induced by DNB. Also, HEG has flexibility that DNB does not, since you can place the HEG headband on any site of the head that you want.
UOchris1, keep in mind that HEG works on cerebral blood flow (a proxy for metabolic activity), not on brainwaves. Also, HEG is not relaxing at all. It feels a lot more like lifting weights. Your comments might be accurate for EEG neurofeedback, but not HEG.
You can find some semi-scientific articles and presentations at the following link:http://www.biocompresearch.org/biofeedback-institute-research.html http://www.biocompresearch.org
Hope that helps,
Toomim is of course referring to Near Infrared HEG (nirHEG). The inventor of the other form of HEG, Passive Infrared HEG (pirHEG), can be found through the following link (with links to downloads):Stop My Migraine! | Help for migraine headaches
The fact that these technologies can be used in a portable manner, has led to various sites online making both HEG systems available directly for sale to the general public. For examples see:HEG pIR and nIR Systems
MediTECH Electronic GmbH: HEG-Neurofeedback
One company that utilises Training Centers, targets the market of a developing country, India. The company’s website says that it has ‘Subsidised Training for the Underprivileged’…
Cerebra Brain Technologies is engaged in bringing state-of-the-art Brain Enhancement Technologies to India and to other parts of the world.Cerebra TurboBrain, a revolutionary technique for enhancing Cerebral Blood Flow, using Infra-red sensors and computers showing real-time measures of Cerebral Blood Flow, has been launched.Cerebra Brain Technologies’ mission is to improve lives by enhancing mental capabilities. This helps Students, Business Executives, Athletes and other Professionals.Cerebra BrainTech ’s offerings are based on solid clinical evidence done in various countries.
(sources: Hemoencephalography (HEG) - Dual N-Back, Brain Training & Intelligence | Google Groups ; About Us Cerebra TurboBrain )