Brighten Up Your Brain With Neuroreguvenation!

What Is Neuroregeneration?

Neurorejuvenation is a part of an interdisciplinary series of neurofeedback training protocols designed to enhance and develop cognitive skills. The neurorejuvenation protocols at NeuroZone offer cognitive compensation strategies to help preserve your mental acuity, independence, and autonomy for longer. Simply put, it is state-of-the-art mental health and wellness.

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Santa Monica, Venice, South Bay, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, and all of Greater Los Angeles, NeuroZone is the one-stop destination to brighten up your brain. 

To schedule your free consultation, click contact us online or call (310) 821-3640. 

All About Neurorejuvenation

As we progress past middle age, our brains’ functions may start to decline. Don’t worry. It’s natural, and it happens to everyone eventually, but some people may feel insecure about any perceived drops in cognitive ability compared to their younger colleagues and relatives. Thankfully, there’s Neurorejuvenation. It’s the drug-free protocol of choice that helps you enter your golden years sharp, competitive, and at your cognitive peak. It’s helpful to think of neurorejuvenation as an anti-aging treatment for the brain. 

What Is Neurofeedback Training?

Neurofeedback training (NFT) is brainwave biofeedback in which the brain’s electrical activity is monitored by a computer through electrodes placed at various locations on the scalp and earlobes. The NF equipment reads information about brainwave function and relays it into a feedback system that provides instant audiovisual feedback to the patient. This feedback creates a virtual brain map that allows doctors to see the patient’s brainwaves in real-time, permitting them to influence the brain waves and retrain the brain more effectively. 

Some of the main areas addressed explicitly with NFT are: 

Studies have shown NF to be an innovative method of investigating brain function and neuroplasticity.^[1] Any individual goals of NF will depend upon the resulting brain map and the neurofunctional assessments. 

What Is a Neurofeedback Protocol? 

A neurofeedback protocol is a program developed from a quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG). The qEEG measures cognitive activity in brain wave patterns, creating a sort of brain map. Your specific brain map determines what therapies to pursue and for how long. Each protocol includes:

What are Brain Waves?

Brain waves are the evidence of electrical activity produced by your brain. They are repetitive patterns of neurological activity in your central nervous system. They are also known as “neural oscillations.” When a group of neurons sends a jolt of electrical pulses to another group of neurons, it creates a wave-like pattern. These brain waves are measured in speed cycles per second, described as Hertz (Hz).

Types of Brain Waves

The five types of brain waves are:

• Delta Waves
  • Occur between 1-4 Hz and are very slow, high amplitude brain waves. 
  • We experience these brain waves when we are in deep, restorative sleep. 
  • These waves also occur when certain brain areas go “offline” and can be associated with learning disabilities.
• Theta Waves
  • Occur between 4-8 Hz and are also slow and large. 
  • They represent a relaxed, daydream-like state that may be associated with mental inefficiency.
• Alpha Waves
  • Occur between 8-12 Hz and are faster and smaller than theta waves. 
  • They are associated with a state of relaxation but waiting to respond and shift gears if needed. 
  • People feel at ease and calm in this state and can move efficiently and quickly to accomplish tasks.
• Beta Waves
  • Occur between 12 Hz -30 Hz and are fast, small waves. 
  • Beta represents the dominant rhythm in those who are alert or anxious with their eyes open. 
  • It is the state the brain is in when we are listening and thinking during analytical problem solving, judgment, decision making, and processing information about our world. 
  • Beta waves are divided into three categories:
    • Low – Between 12-15 Hz (SMR)
    • Midrange – Between 15-18 Hz
    • High – Above 18 Hz
• Gamma Waves
  • Gamma waves occur above 36 Hz and are swift small waves. 
  • These waves are associated with intensely focused attention. 
  • Waves assist the brain in processing multiple pieces of information.

The most commonly used protocols are alpha, beta, theta, and alpha/theta ratio.^[2]

Memory Training

Memory training is based on the concept of neuroplasticity, the notion that our brains are not hardwired and that the brain can change with practice. Research has shown that memory systems can be influenced and strengthened through systematic training. The importance of training memory lies in its crucial role in overall cognitive processing and executive functions.

The key to our memory training program’s success is combining neurofeedback training with specific memory training programs. The NF primes the brain by targeting the specific areas known to impact all systems involved in memory. This results in the remediation of a broader set of skills, all of which contribute to improving memory functions. This is achieved through precise placement of the neurofeedback leads onto the scalp in the areas that will impact memory systems.

Executive Function Training

Executive functions represent a collection of processes responsible for goal setting, initiation, following a plan, self-awareness, and managing cognitive and emotional functions during daily tasks.

Executive functions are mediated by the brain’s frontal lobes and their dense connections with the cortical and subcortical regions responsible for arousal, motivation, and motor control. When this system is not functioning, even the simplest tasks can be extremely challenging.

Research has shown that through the thalamocortical-thalamic neural pathways, a bidirectional connection, the brain can obtain data about its activity. This opens the door for brain training through direct stimulation of the various cortical regions using neurofeedback. 

Suppose any of the brain areas involved in executive function are identified as malfunctioning through the Brain Map. In that case, neurofeedback can provide direct training through specific lead placement on those areas for training. Stimulation of the cortex may bring about improved functioning of subcortical structures.

Benefits of Neurorejuvenation

Brainwave activity provides information about levels of alertness, concentration, emotional states, and cognitive processing. It also includes information about how the brain’s different pathways communicate with each other while processing incoming data from the world.

Understanding how efficiently these pathways are communicating provides a window into the speed and quantity of information being sent between different brain regions. 

When a brain is overwhelmed because this information processing is too fast or too slow, an individual can become anxious, moody, or overwhelmed. They may experience cognitive fogginess and lack of motivation. Through neurofeedback, we can change the way brain waves behave. Neurofeedback’s protocols balance levels of arousal and increase the efficiency with which the brain’s many pathways communicate. This, in turn, leads to improvements in the way a person is feeling and behaving. Our clients enjoy enhanced cognitive performance in their job, school, and personal relationships.

Personal Consultation

To determine if neurorejuvenation is right for you, please contact our office and schedule a complimentary consultation with Erin D. Badour-Kayem, B.A., BSc.,M.S., CCC-SLP, BCN

Owner/Director, Neurozone Inc.

Her years 20+ years of experience and exceptional patient care have helped hundreds of patients achieve optimal results and improve their daily lives. 

Please call our office or contact us online to request an appointment. 

Procedure

• One or more electrodes are placed on the scalp and earlobes for each training session. 
• Brain activity is recorded 
  • Real-time information is provided relating to brain activity. 
  • During this process, the client’s brain’s activity is compared to the desired goal every half second. 
  • When the goal is met, there is a reward in the form of positive reinforcement. 
  • When the goal is not met, there is a form of negative reinforcement. 
    • Positive or negative reinforcement is in the form of feedback presented either visually, auditorily, or the tactile modality to the client. 

The therapy is based on reinforcing or inhibiting certain aspects of brain wave functions revealed in the brain map. It is essentially learning guided by immediate feedback to produce lasting physiological changes in the brain. 

In 20 sessions of NF, the brain has approximately 72,000 chances to learn a newly desired operating pattern.

Treatment Plan

NFT varies from one individual to the next depending on age, type and severity of the condition(s) treated, and client compliance. 

The NF standard is approximately 20-50 sessions; however, the number of sessions will vary greatly depending upon the patient’s age and the seriousness of their conditions. Treatment is usually divided into phases, with each phase lasting between 20 and 30 sessions. On average, most clients receive 2-3 phases of treatment.

When treating very complex conditions or when multiple diagnoses are present, it can be challenging to determine how many treatment sessions may be required. It is common for initial improvements to be seen within the first five to ten sessions, but this may vary dramatically based on the conditions being treated. The brain map assessment and other neurofunctional assessments are completed after each treatment phase to determine progress, develop new goals and a new neurofeedback treatment protocol.

A Drug-Free Neurological Protocol

Neurorejuvenation is a drug-free passive learning process that must be practiced by a qualified professional who understands the diagnoses. In the hands of a competent professional, any adverse effects of the treatment will be appropriately managed. 

NF has no toxic or harmful psychogenic effects compared to medications used to treat the same conditions. Mild side effects can sometimes occur after a neurorejuvenation session. Clients may feel tired, spacey, or occasionally anxious. NF may also cause headaches and sleep disturbances. Many of these symptoms disappear within a short time after the training session. 

Throughout the treatment, the client and the clinician may discuss any complications that may arise so that protocols can be altered accordingly.

Optimal Outcomes

By the end of your first round of sessions, there will be a marked improvement in overall cognitive abilities.

If you enjoyed reading this article, we highly recommend visiting the NeuroZone blog, where you can get familiar with the best neurofeedback service in Los Angeles. It covers a broad range of topics ranging from mental health, lifestyle advice, and tech updates. We hope to connect with you soon!

FAQ

References

1. Sitaram, R., Ros, T., Stoeckel, L. et al. Closed-loop brain training: the science of neurofeedback. Nat Rev Neurosci 18, 86–100 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn.2016.164
2. Marzbani H, Marateb HR, Mansourian M. Neurofeedback: A Comprehensive Review on System Design, Methodology and Clinical Applications. Basic Clin Neurosci. 2016;7(2):143-158. doi:10.15412/J.BCN.03070208