The Neurocognitive Process - Page 2
This "game" is a technologically advanced qEEG biofeedback system. The patient tries to manipulate the image on the screen, whether it's an airplane, spaceship, or lines on a graph. However, the game only responds when the patient is activating the correct neural pathways or activating a location in the desired frequency range, as identified by Dr. Thornton's evaluation process.
Gradually, the patient's brain learns how to make the images on the screen move in the desired/improved direction. During this process, the neural pathways or the activity at locations that had not been functioning correctly--causing symptoms of attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, or learning disability--are strengthened and reinforced.
A learning disabled patient, wearing sensors on his head, plays an interactive neurofeedback game designed to increase activity in selected regions of the brain.
The basic process by which the brain is able to respond is called operant conditioning. It is similar to the classical conditioning of Pavlov's dogs, except that rewards for behavior are employed. When the brain behaves better, it is rewarded with sound and visual images.
The patient is instructed in the method and informed of their goals. As the airplane, helicopter or line goes up the numerical value of the variable being addressed increases. The client is informed of the normal value for the variable. With this specific goal in mind, the client can then focus on the task and try to move the variable to the desired value.
Other researchers have pursued similar approaches with Quantitative EEG. Because of Dr. Thornton's extensive work with normals, brain-injured, learning-disabled and ADD subjects, he has developed a highly specific normative qEEG database that can be used to precisely "tune" the therapy to the exact cognitive dysfunction being experienced by the patient. As there are some 3,000 qEEG variables being generated by the brain every second, the ability to pinpoint specifically the patterns which account for success or failure represents a monumental advantage over all other interventions currently in existence.
Dr. Thornton is the only researcher in the world to have developed such an in-depth qEEG database focusing on learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder. This means that he can program the software with the exact parameters to reward the successful use of the connections that need repair.
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