Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. The goal of this blog is to interact with individuals who are interested in increasing their awareness and learn more about mind-brain technologies that can enhance all aspects of cognitive performance. More specifically, this blog will offer current information in the areas of improving memory, concentration and general cognitive function for individuals suffering from attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities, those suffering from a head injury, brain injury or stroke, and those who are experiencing absentmindedness and memory impairment as a result of aging or stress. Lastly, anyone who is interested in improving brain fitness, achieve mental peak performance and generally improve memory and focus.
Please feel free to post your comments and ask questions.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Dr. Bob Gottfried, Toronto, Canada
Background: Bob Gottfried Ph.D. is the clinical director of Advanced Cognitive Enhancement (ACE) clinics. He also consults to a number of wellness-based organizations. Dr. Gottfried specializes in post-traumatic conditions and neuro-cognitive rehabilitation with 20 years of clinical experience. He developed innovative cognitive enhancement tools and has published courses and programs for improving concentration and memory. His cognitive technologies have been implemented in a number of interactive programs both online and offline (software).
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January 31, 2010 08:34:29
Posted By Mind-Brain Technologies
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The positive effect of omega 3 on brain function has proven to be positive. Other supplements such as Ginko Biloba have proven unsuccessful in improving brain function. There are numerous so called “natural” approaches that offer improvement of ADHD symptoms, from specific diets to homeopathy and herbal remedies. Although some of these approaches may offer relief, none can offer remediation. The reason is very simple. Fundamentally, ADHD is a neuro-cognitive impairment and therefore only a neuro-cognitive approach has the potential to resolve the problem.
The neuro-cognitive programs developed at our clinic have shown significant (and permanent) improvement in symptoms associated with ADHD. You can read a separate article on the subject using this link: http://www.aceclinics.com/article.html
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December 23, 2009 07:53:27
Posted By Mind-Brain Technologies
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A meta-analysis study recently published in the EEG and Clinical Neuroscience magazine looked at using Neurofeedback treatment in treating ADHD. This study, which included 15 studies and 1194 ADHD patients concluded that Neurofeedback can indeed be considered an Evidence-Based treatment for ADHD.
The results also show that Neurofeedback treatment has large and clinically significant effects on impulsivity, inattention and hyperactivity.
My note: this study confirms what clinicians using Neurofeedback to treat ADHD and other attention impairments have known for a while. We, at the ACEclinic in Toronto, have developed cutting edge programs that improve brain wave balance, as well as enhance core cognitive skills such as sequential processing, multitasking, attention duration, processing speed, selective attention, divided attention, visual and auditory processing and more.
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November 30, 2009 12:28:36
Posted By Mind-Brain Technologies
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A new study confirms that Alpha waves can diminish your attention and cause you to make mistakes.
According to the study, led by researchers at the University of California and the Donders Institute of the Netherlands, the appearance of Alpha waves, while trying to focus on a cognitive task can be the reason why we sometimes make mistakes such as spilling a cup of coffee or failing to notice a stop sign. It can also explain the source of the difficulties that ADHD individuals experience when trying to perform a task that requires sustained attention. These unwanted Alpha waves interfere with the regular Beta waves that are present when a cognitive task is executed.
Generally, Alpha waves are in use during daydreaming or when a person closes his eyes. However, if an Alpha wave (that comes from the back of the brain) moves to the frontal cortex while trying to concentrate on a task, this will create a cognitive lapse that will result in some form of an error. Although an important discovery, this is not entirely new. Neuro-cognitive specialists have known for some time that individuals with ADHD maintain an excessive amount of slow brain waves (Alpha and/or Theta waves) that prevent the frontal lobes from being fully engaged and are therefore, unable to sustain attention when required and for as long as it is required. ADHD is a neurological impairment that a person is born with.
However, the brain is quite an amazing organ that can adjust and upgrade itself if it is taught how to do it (an ability commonly referred to as “neuroplasticity”). The programs developed at the ACEclinics can train the brain to reduce slow brain wave activity such as Alpha and Theta and increase the production Beta 1 and Beta 2 waves, which as a result will improve the overall ability to focus, concentrate, remember and process information adequately.
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October 14, 2009 08:07:36
Posted By Mind-Brain Technologies
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Wouldn’t it be great if you could get X-rayed or do a simple blood test that would indicate whether or not you are suffering from ADHD? Unfortunately, there is no quick test to establish a diagnosis. The process is a bit more complicated.
Generally, assessing ADHD involves a thorough interview. In the case of a child, both the child and the parents will describe the symptoms that the child is exhibiting. Parents will also be asked questions related to the child’s cognitive deficiencies and academic difficulties. Behavioral, emotional and social problems will also be addressed to rule out other disorders such as anxiety disorder, conduct disorder, Asperger’s, central auditory processing disorder or any other learning disabilities for children, and post traumatic stress disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder or learning disabilities for adults. Whenever any mental disorder is suspected, a more thorough investigation is required.
There are a number of rating scales such as the Connors Rating Scale to assess ADHD and establish the severity of symptoms. The Connors Rating Scale includes three separate tests: self rating, parent rating and in case of a child, also teacher rating.
Click here to read the full article on more advanced technologies, including performance tests and EEG to even more accurately assess ADHD.
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July 23, 2009 07:22:49
Posted By Mind-Brain Technologies
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In a study just published in the Scientific Journal EEG And Clinical Neuro-Sciences, researchers have shown that neuro-feedback is indeed an effective, evidence-based treatment for ADHD. Neuro-feedback or EEG biofeedback has been recognized for over a decade as an effective treatment modality for treating Attention Deficit Disorders (AD/HD) because of its ability to improve brain self-regulation, by enhancing certain brain wave activity.
Researchers from Tubingen University in Germany and from Radboud University in the Netherlands have done a meta analysis that reviewed 15 studies and 1194 ADHD patients. The researchers concluded that neuro-feedback is indeed an effective modality that can be considered an evidence-based treatment for ADHD, as it proves to show significant positive effects on inattention, impulsivity as well as hyperactivity.
I am not surprised at these results because I have been using EEG biofeedback in my clinic with great success for over 15 years, both with children and adults. The programs I developed at the ACE clinic offer a perfect combination of neuro-feedback treatment (without the need for expensive and cumbersome equipment), as well as training of all essential cognitive skills, something that traditional Neurofeedback does not do. To read a more detailed article about enhancing brain wave ratios in ADHD individuals, click here.
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