Fwd: [scautismforum] Science Daily Neurofeedback study

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Sent: 4/23/2008 10:05:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Subj: [scautismforum] Science Daily Neurofeedback study

Web address:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/

080423175535.htm

Neurofeedback May Help 'Retrain' Brainwaves In Children With Autism

ScienceDaily (Apr. 23, 2008) — Playing a video game called ‘Space Race’

that requires nothing more than brainpower to make rockets on a computer screen

move forward is more than just fun and games. A University of Missouri

researcher is using video games to see if the brainwaves of children with

autism

can be ‘retrained’ to improve focus and concentration.

“We are trying to awaken their brains. Often children with autism disconnect

and we want to use neurofeedback to teach them how it feels to pay attention

and be more alert. We want to teach them to regulate their own brain

function,†said Guy McCormack, chair of the occupational therapy and

occupational

science department in the MU School of Health Professions. “The ultimate

goal

is to lay down new neural pathways and, hopefully, see changes in focus and

attention span, social interaction, improved sleep, and appetite.â€

Neurofeedback is a way of observing how the brain works from moment to

moment. While the children play the video games, their concentration and focus

are

rewarded by movements on the screen and special sounds. If attention wanes,

the rocket on the screen slows, sounds stop and the color changes until more

attention is given to the image. As this occurs, researches watch another

screen that monitors brainwave activity. The brainwave activity is measured by

placing sensors on the scalp.

“The more neurofeedback training given to a child with autism, the more

often the correct brain pathways are used and the stronger they become. It’s

like

a ‘tune-up’ for a brain that is out of sync,†McCormack said. “The

brain

has a lot of plasticity and, as children continue this training, it becomes

engrained and spills into other parts of their lives.â€

Neurofeedback technology was designed by NASA for flight simulations. It

also is used to help high-powered executives achieve peak performance and to

help athletes train their brains to ‘get into a zone.’

“The aim of neurofeedback is to enable children to consciously control their

brainwave activity by being rewarded for their ability to focus,†McCormack

said. “Neurofeedback can be compared to physical conditioning for the

brain.â€

McCormack says a body of evidence already exists that has found the use of

neurofeedback training helps with other neurological disorders such as

traumatic brain injuries, strokes, seizures, depression, anxiety disorders,

alcoholism and premenstrual syndrome.

The Sinquefield Charitable Foundation gave $213,511 to fund McCormack’s

study of neurofeedback for treatment of autism. The study is being conducted at

the MU Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Adapted from materials provided by _University of Missouri_

(http://www.missouri.edu/)

..

Need to cite this story in your essay, paper, or report? Use one of the

following formats:

APA

MLA

University of Missouri (2008, April 23). Neurofeedback May Help 'Retrain'

Brainwaves In Children With Autism. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 23, 2008,

from http://www.sciencedaily.com & shy; /releases/2008/04/080423175535.htm

_________________________________________

Craig C. Stoxen

President and CEO

South Carolina Autism Society

806 12th Street

West Columbia, SC 29169

803-750-6988

_craig@..._ (mailto:craig@...)

_www.scautism.org_ (http://www.scautism.org/)

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