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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Hugh on January 25, 2016, at 18:53:58
In results from a more recent study, Dr. Young says that after two sessions of neurofeedback, depression scores dropped 50%. In the control group, they dropped 10%. These results are not yet published, but were presented at the Society of Biological Psychiatry annual meeting in 2015.
While in the scanner, study subjects were told to recall positive autobiographical memories. At the same time, they were shown an image of a red bar, which coordinated with their own brain activity. Subjects in the active group received feedback from their left amygdala, a part of the brain that processes emotional memories.
Zac Williams recently participated in two of the Tulsa neurofeedback studies for depression. "I was going through a tough time. My father had just died and my girlfriend broke up with me," says the 26-year-old phone repair technician from Tulsa.
While he was in the scanner and trying to get the red bar to rise, researchers told him to pick several happy memories. He said he thought of getting his first car, a camping trip with friends and his first time riding a motorcycle. But those memories, he said, "werent necessarily making the bar go up." So he tried thinking about funny movies. When he recalled scenes of "Dumb and Dumber," he says the bar spiked. "It was kind of crazy to see something react based on your thoughts."
Since the treatment, Mr. Williams says his mood has improved. He says he's also using the skills he learned in the scanner when he feels down. "If there is something that bogs me down, I try to find a way to make myself laugh," he says.
The complete article from The Wall Street Journal:
This is a Ted Talk by one of the pioneers in the field of MRI neurofeedback:
Posted by SLS on January 26, 2016, at 8:08:37
In reply to MRI neurofeedback for anxiety, depression, posted by Hugh on January 25, 2016, at 18:53:58
Hi Hugh.
Of all the non-medicinal treatments, which ones would you list as being the most potentially effective? If you only had enough money to pay for only one type of treatment, which one would you choose?
My bipolar depression is one predominated by anergia, anhedonia, lack of interest and motivation, and impairments of cognition and memory. I have difficulties with slowed thinking and concentration - especially reading. Depressed mood, melancholy, and sadness are not usually present.
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on January 26, 2016, at 14:35:09
In reply to Re: MRI neurofeedback for anxiety, depression » Hugh, posted by SLS on January 26, 2016, at 8:08:37
Thanks for posting.
I consider it.
Posted by Lamdage22 on January 27, 2016, at 13:32:22
In reply to Re: MRI neurofeedback for anxiety, depression, posted by Lamdage22 on January 26, 2016, at 14:35:09
Is neurofeedback teaching you to think positive?
Posted by Hugh on January 27, 2016, at 21:04:36
In reply to Re: MRI neurofeedback for anxiety, depression, posted by Lamdage22 on January 26, 2016, at 14:35:09
> Thanks for posting.
>
> I consider it.You're welcome. Right now, the only way to try MRI neurofeedback is to enroll in a clinical trial.
Posted by Hugh on January 27, 2016, at 21:11:10
In reply to Re: MRI neurofeedback for anxiety, depression, posted by Lamdage22 on January 27, 2016, at 13:32:22
> Is neurofeedback teaching you to think positive?
I've tried EEG neurofeedback, which significantly reduced my anger and anxiety.
Posted by Hugh on January 27, 2016, at 21:27:33
In reply to Re: MRI neurofeedback for anxiety, depression » Hugh, posted by SLS on January 26, 2016, at 8:08:37
Hi Scott,
pEMF (pulsed electromagnetic fields), which I discuss in this post:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20150301/msgs/1085594.html
And Nexalin.
EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation). It improves circulation to the brain, and throughout the body. It can significantly elevate mood.
http://www.bravermancenters.com/
But if I had to choose just one treatment, it would be EEG neurofeedback. It's the treatment I've benefited from the most, long-term. I did this in 2000-01, and most of the gains I made have held up all these years since. I'd like to do more of it, and of all the neurofeedback protocols now available, the one that interests me the most is called Whole-Brain Training Circuit. It was developed by a neurofeedback clinician named Peter Van Deusen.
https://brain-trainer.com/about/whole-brain-training-plan/
Scott, your lack of motivation likely has something to do with how your prefrontal cortex is functioning. EEG neurofeedback can target this area of the brain.
http://www.northwestern.edu/magazine/winter2008/feature/baehr.html
Posted by Hugh on February 15, 2016, at 12:00:25
In reply to Re: MRI neurofeedback for anxiety, depression » Hugh, posted by SLS on January 26, 2016, at 8:08:37
Near-infrared light therapy (NILT) is showing a lot of promise. Most of the studies have dealt with its effect on stroke and TBI, but it's now being studied as a treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD. A clinic where a high-powered laser (9-13 watts, which penetrates at least 3 cm into the brain) is being used is Neuro-Laser Foundation in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.
At this clinic, they sometimes use EEG and/or SPECT to look for dysfunctional areas of patients' brains, and then target those areas with near-infrared light. Their laser is being used in clinical trials conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital. The following quote is from a TBI study published last year:
Patients noted improvement in cognitive function, mood, anxiety, and sleep. None of the patients continued to have suicidal thoughts (50% at baseline). Other symptoms, such as anxiety and irritability, were markedly improved. Most notable were the nonquantifiable changes in patients' lives. Patients reported improved cognitive ability and a desire to return to meaningful work. Five of the six unemployed patients have returned to work. The two patients who were Iraq/Afghanistan veterans have found new careers in highly skilled trades. The patients with marital difficulties have reconciled and were purchasing homes or otherwise solidifying their marriages. The clinical change can be attributed to NILT because no changes in medications, supplements, or exercise regimen were permitted during the course of NILT treatment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAKz2US2imA
Posted by SLS on February 15, 2016, at 12:14:22
In reply to Re: MRI neurofeedback for anxiety, depression » SLS, posted by Hugh on February 15, 2016, at 12:00:25
Hi Hugh.
Thank you very much for devoting the time to put your posts together. This stuff is all new to me.
- Scott---------------------------------------
> Near-infrared light therapy (NILT) is showing a lot of promise. Most of the studies have dealt with its effect on stroke and TBI, but it's now being studied as a treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD. A clinic where a high-powered laser (9-13 watts, which penetrates at least 3 cm into the brain) is being used is Neuro-Laser Foundation in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.
>
> http://www.tbi.care/
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> At this clinic, they sometimes use EEG and/or SPECT to look for dysfunctional areas of patients' brains, and then target those areas with near-infrared light. Their laser is being used in clinical trials conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital. The following quote is from a TBI study published last year:
>
> Patients noted improvement in cognitive function, mood, anxiety, and sleep. None of the patients continued to have suicidal thoughts (50% at baseline). Other symptoms, such as anxiety and irritability, were markedly improved. Most notable were the nonquantifiable changes in patients' lives. Patients reported improved cognitive ability and a desire to return to meaningful work. Five of the six unemployed patients have returned to work. The two patients who were Iraq/Afghanistan veterans have found new careers in highly skilled trades. The patients with marital difficulties have reconciled and were purchasing homes or otherwise solidifying their marriages. The clinical change can be attributed to NILT because no changes in medications, supplements, or exercise regimen were permitted during the course of NILT treatment.
>
> http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-study-shows-only-high-powered-near-infrared-light-nir-regenerates-damage-from-traumatic-brain-injury-tbi-300143969.html
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAKz2US2imA
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Posted by Hugh on February 16, 2016, at 14:31:52
In reply to Re: MRI neurofeedback for anxiety, depression » Hugh, posted by SLS on February 15, 2016, at 12:14:22
You're welcome, Scott. I've been interested in the use of lasers for treating depression for several years, since reading this:
http://behavioralandbrainfunctions.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1744-9081-5-46
It's exciting that this treatment is finally moving out of the laboratory and in to the clinic. Other than Neuro-Laser Foundation in Denver, the only clinic I know of that uses lasers on patients' brains is Quietmind Foundation in suburban Philadelphia.
These clinical trials are currently underway in Boston:
http://www.research.va.gov/currents/spring2015/spring2015-7.cfm
The intranasal infrared device being tested in Boston is available from Vielight.
Posted by Hugh on March 8, 2016, at 14:06:18
In reply to Re: MRI neurofeedback for anxiety, depression » SLS, posted by Hugh on February 15, 2016, at 12:00:25
This TV news story is about using near infrared light to treat depression:
http://cbs4indy.com/2016/01/28/latest-treatments-for-depression/#
Posted by Hugh on March 28, 2016, at 0:35:38
In reply to Re: MRI neurofeedback for anxiety, depression, posted by Hugh on March 8, 2016, at 14:06:18
This article describes how MRI neurofeedback might be used to control the motivational centers of our brains:
This is the end of the thread.
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