Neurofeedback Therapy in the Treatment of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
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Neurofeedback Therapy in the Treatment of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
For more information about Neurofeedback, go to http://www.NeurofeedbackBook.com Dr. Clare Albright is a psychologist (CA License PSY11660) and a Neurofeedback practitioner and can be reached at (949)454-0996
If you have been dealing with the deteriorating condition of a lifelong companion, you would no doubt welcome any news about advances in medical science that offer hope of slowing the memory loss and mental decline of your loved one. Neurofeedback therapy is one of those promising achievements.
Our understanding of the human brain and nervous system, compared to even a decade ago, has dramatically changed the way we view the aging process. We now know that it is possible to alter the structure of the brain deep into the “Golden” years and much further, perhaps.
In recent months a study looking at using neurofeedback to treat those suffering with the symptoms of dementia (such as memory loss) concluded that neurofeedback may very well slow memory loss, and, in some cases, may even improve memory. Although research in this area is very limited at this time, future studies are sure to follow.
Professor John Gruzelier, from Imperial College London at Charing Cross hospital has commented “Neurofeedback has been proven to be effective in altering brain activity, but the extent to which such alterations can influence behavior are still unknown.” Notice that he did not place a cap on what is possible, he is simply saying, in so many words “this much we know, and we need to see what else there is to know”.
People have a tendency to assume the worst possible outcome about things that they do not fully understand. This lack of understanding translates into a lack of perceived control, and, when we feel like we have little to no control, we give up, rather than fight. This is the situation of many families who are coping with Alzheimer’s. They have watched a family member continue drift further away mentally, until suddenly, it seems all that is left is a shell that bears resemblance of a once vibrant human being.
How does neurofeedback help with Alzheimer’s disease? The neurofeedback method used to treat Alzheimer’s patients is the same as for anything other neurological condition. Positive reinforcement is used to gradually change the way the patient’s brain is functioning, but it is difficult to specify exactly what happens to bring about these changes.
The reason is quite simple; Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood in terms of how it manifests and what causes it to progress. There is still a great deal more to discover about this malady before we can talk definitively about the processes involved in improving brain function in Alzheimer’s patients.
What we can say, at this point, is that many case studies exist that demonstrate the potential of neurofeedback therapy to initiate positive changes in people with Alzheimer’s. Some of them are very remarkable changes; others are far less impressive, but positive changes nonetheless. As we begin to discover more about what is happening within the brain of those who suffer with Alzheimer’s, we will be able to more accurately determine how to best use neurofeedback to intervene.
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