QEEG or quantitative EEG brain maps: see the reason for your struggles, then change it
The EEG is a way to measure activity in your brain. Your brain is electric. Every thought you think, every emotion you feel, and every sensation you have is due to the electrical firing of neurons. The EEG or electroencephalograph shows this activity instantaneously, within a few thousandths of a second after it occurs in the brain. Although EEG’s are used medically by neurologists to evaluate neurological disorders like epilepsy, they are increasingly being used in behavioral and mental health fields.
EEG shows us the activity and the coordination of activity of the cortex – the outermost layer of the brain. This is the part of the brain responsible for higher functions like thinking, deciding, and acting. It can show areas of the brain where there is too little or too much activity. It can also show when areas of the brain are not coordinating their activity properly. By studying the EEG in 19 areas of your brain, we are often able to see the reason for your struggles. And once we can see it, we can target it for change with neurofeedback.
qEEG: Quantitative analysis of the EEG
Your brain is incredibly complex. Just looking at the EEG is not enough to get to the bottom of it. We can “see” your brain much more clearly when we use sophisticated computerized analysis tools to study your brain’s electrical activity. This process is called quantitative EEG or qEEG. Complicated mathematical and statistical analysis of EEG activity is now a primary tool in neuroscience. It is used in computational neuroscience research centers all over the world to study ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, depression and bipolar disorder, PTSD and other anxiety disorders, learning disabilities, and memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.
When you elect an EEG brain study at the Neurodevelopment Center, we record your brain’s electrical activity in 19 sites on your head. These EEG tracings are then converted to numbers and compared to the EEG of individuals with no known brain based difficulties. This allows you to see patterns of brain dysfunction that may be related to your difficulties in life: you can see the basis in your brain for your problems. Then we target that area of the brain for change with neurofeedback.
qEEG research
qEEG: why care?
Here it is: if a specific EEG pattern is linked to your problem AND you can change your EEG patterns with neurofeedback, then you should be able to solve the problem. That’s why your neurofeedback training at the NeuroDevelopment Center will be guided by careful quantitative analysis of your EEG patterns.To prepare for your EEG recording
You can download instructions on how to prepare for your recording here: qEEG preparation checklist.
If you are preparing a young child with an autism spectrum disorder, you may find this social story helpful: qEEG social story. If you have serious concerns about your child’s ability to get through this procedure, be sure to speak to Dr,. Hirshberg about it. We can help you get your child ready.
