Director: Thomas M Brod, M.D.

Educational Objectives: At the conclusion of this foundational course, the participant should understand basic EEG concepts, indications for and limits of EEG brain-mapping in psychiatry, several clinical neurofeedback protocols, divergent models of efficacy, and be able to track future developments in applied neurophysiology.

ABSTRACT: This course will provide the foundational knowledge for psychiatrists in clinical practice to incorporate developments in the field of computerized neurophysiology and applications in EEG brain mapping (QEEG) and EEG biofeedback (neurofeedback). Attendance at the [proposed] symposium, "Clinical Applications of QEEG and Neurofeedback" is recommended.

The course will offer a brief historical review, tracing the field beyond "alpha", followed by a live demonstration of brainwave neurofeedback. Then, the fundamentals of EEG physiology and terminology will be reviewed. We will turn to current understanding of cortex/midbrain dynamics and brain-self-state models of neuroregulation. Cortical rhythm generators and thalamic pacemakers have complex interactions; time-binding is an essential feature of the encoding and processing of information. Neurofeedback affects self-regulation through arousal, attention/vigilance, and affect regulating systems. Clinical application of neurofeedback for attentional disorders will be reviewed in detail.

The essentials and clinical use of topographic EEG brain mapping (QEEG) will be explained. Subtypes of post-concussion syndrome and ADHD have been discerned, and new treatment protocols have been developed.

Protocols exist for treating alcoholism with deep state feedback, and while some controversy remains, replicated studies point to extraordinary results. On the near horizon are applications of feedback of event-related potentials in the treatment of memory.

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