Specialisterne: leveraging the unique skills of Autistics at competitive market terms

[Visionary7903]

This post will be the first to focus on Quantative Electroencephalogram (QEEG)-guided Neurofeedback. Electroencephalogram (EEG) data can be acquired, averaged, and compared to a normative database in a technique referred to as QEEG. The QEEG, or brain map, looks to be essential for treatment planning, although many practitioners may begin Neurofeedback training without mapping, based on presenting symptoms.

The following abstract is from a 2010 paper by Hammond, entitled The need for individualization in neurofeedback: heterogeneity in QEEG patterns associated with diagnoses and symptoms. It highlights the strengths of QEEG-guided Neurofeedback over a symptoms-only based approach…

Very diverse assessment procedures are utilized by neurofeedback practitioners, many of which are not based on careful examination of raw EEG data followed by scientifically objective quantitative EEG (QEEG) database comparisons. Research is reviewed demonstrating the great heterogeneity in the EEG patterns associated with various diagnoses and symptoms. The fact that most patients qualify for dual diagnoses, with co-morbid psychiatric and medical conditions present, complicates the ability of clinicians to estimate what electrophysiological patterns may be associated with symptoms. In such cases treatment planning is characterized by a great deal of guesswork and experimentation. Peer reviewed publications have documented that neurofeedback treatment can sometimes be associated with both transient side effects as well as more serious negative effects. It is believed that the lack of comprehensive and objective assessment of brain functioning may increase the risk of neurofeedback either being ineffective or causing iatrogenic harm. QEEG provides reliable, non-invasive, objective, culture-free and relatively low cost evaluation of brain functioning, permitting individualization of treatment and added liability protection.

In their recent paper, QEEG-guided Neurofeedback: New Brain-based Individualized Evaluation and Treatment for Autism, Neubrander et al. write in detail about various endophenotypes that have been identified by QEEG in relation to patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders. These can help ‘individualise’ treatment as each subtype pattern can be targeted respectively by a differing Neurofeedback protocol. Also, over time, as more and more individuals are treated, knowledge over what works (and what does not work) for each subtype pattern should increase and also the endophenotypes could be further refined…

…Endophenotype Number: Autism #1
Type: Paroxysmal or abnormal EEG (epileptiform activity)
Location(s): Multiple locations

Endophenotype Number: Autism #2
Type: Mu pattern
Location(s):Central-temporal lobes

Endophenotype Number: Autism #3
Type: High beta pattern (beta spindle)
Location(s): Multiple locations

Endophenotype Number: Autism #4
Type: Coherence dysregulation
Location(s): Multiple locations

Endophenotype Number: Autism #5
Type: High delta or delta/theta pattern
Location(s): Frontal-central

Endophenotype Number: Autism #6
Type: Low voltage slow EEG
Location(s): Throughout the cortical areas of the brain

Endophenotype Number: Asperger’s #1
Type: Slow (theta/alpha) or fast beta
Location(s): Right temporal and parietal regions

Endophenotype Number: Asperger’s #2
Type: Hypo- or hypercoherence between regions
Location(s): Right temporal and parietal regions…

(sources: The need for individualizatio… [Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2010] - PubMed - NCBI; http://bio-medical.com/media/support/Neubrander_ASD03-web_copy.pdf)