The
Neuroscience
of Attention Deficit
All Attention Deficit is NOT the same
Treatment should NOT be a "one size fits all". We look at each person's specific brain physiology.
We use EEG brain mapping to objectively identify the brainwave abnormality causing the behavior.
Neurofeedback is a research-based, non-pharmaceutical intervention used to re-train brainwave activity.
The American Academy of Pediatrics lists Neurofeedback as an "Evidence Based Intervention".
A post EEG brain map can objectively measure improvements in brain activity after neurofeedback.
Dr. Tanya Altmann, Pediatrician
Calabasas Pediatrics
"I have referred many of my ADHD patients to the Brain Performance Center and have seen significant improvements in focus, impulse control, and behavior"
American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics lists EEG Guided Neurofeedback an evidence-based, level 1 (best support) intervention for child and adolescent attention and hyperactivity disorders.
Randomized controlled trials have found EEG neurofeedback to be equivalent to stimulant medication in treating the core symptoms of ADHD.
Duric NS, Assmus J, Gundersen DI, Elegen IB. (2012). Neurofeedback for the treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD: A randomized and controlled clinical trial using parental reports. BMC Psychiatry, 12:107 doi:10.1186/1471-244X-12-107.
In five studies EEG neurofeedback has been found to result in sustained benefits when reassessed even up to two years after the end of treatment (these findings are in contrast to the lack of sustained benefit from either behavior therapy or stimulant medication as documented in the MTA Cooperative study).
Gevensleben, H., Holl, B., Albrecht, B., Schlamp, D., Kratz, O., Studer, P., & Heinrich H. (2010). Neurofeedback training in children with ADHD: 6-Month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 19, 715-724.
A 2009 meta-analysis of EEG neurofeedback involving 1,194 ADHD subjects concluded that neurofeedback meets the highest level of evidence-based support for the treatment of ADHD.
Arns, M, de Ridder, S, Strehl, U, Breteler, M, & Coenen, A. (2009). Efficacy of neurofeedback treatment in ADHD: The effects on inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity: A meta-analysis. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 40(3) 180-189
A 2012 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Attention Disorders found EEG neurofeedback to be more than twice as effective in treating the core symptoms of ADHD as compared to: working memory training, behavior modification, school-based behavior therapy, behaviorally-based parent training, and behavioral self-monitoring.
Hodgson, K. et al (2012). Nonpharmacological treatments for ADHD: a meta-analytic review. Journal of Attention Disorders, published online May 29, 2012, doi:10.1177/1087054712444732
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EEG Brain Map?
An EEG brain map objectively measures brain function for people between the ages of 6 and 92. It identifies specific regions of the brain that may be producing too much, or too little electrical activity compared to a controlled, normative database of your same age and gender.
A brain map takes less than an hour to record and is neither invasive nor painful. You simply wear a cap with 19 sensors that record your brain’s electrical activity while you relax in a chair. It is similar to having an EKG record your heart. It’s as safe as a stethoscope!
Is there supporting research
validating EEG brain mapping?
Yes, there are hundreds of research studies on EEG for a wide variety of symptoms, including memory problems, anxiety, depression, traumatic brain injury (TBI), ADD/ADHD, and processing issues.
EEG is considered the “Gold Standard” in neuroscience for measuring real-time brain function. EEG brain mapping is used by the Department of Defense as well as top institutions including UCLA, UCSD, Stanford and many others.
Will insurance pay for my EEG brain map?
Even though EEG brain mapping has hundreds of research studies, currently, insurance does not pay or reimburse for EEG brain maps. The current insurance model is to prescribe medications solely based on symptoms and history. EEG technology is still a few years away from being considered a “main stream” medical diagnostic tool. However, the Brain Performance Center has recently reduced the price for a full EEG brain map to only $495 (the price for the last 5 years has been $975). This helps make it an affordable, out-of-pocket brain health investment.
How will a brain map help me?
Without an EEG brain map, healthcare providers and therapists rely solely on subjective information like symptoms and history. Neuroscience research has identified 6 different types of brain physiology that can produce anxiety symptoms and 6 others that can produce ADHD symptoms.
Many symptoms can be the result of abnormal brain activity during sleep cycles. Understanding the physiological source is imperative to any treatment plan. EEG brain mapping is the technology that provides an objective assessment to help direct the most effective brain health interventions.
Can I record a brain map even if I
am currently taking medication?
Yes, continue to take your medications prescribed by your doctor. We know how medications affect your brain map and can account for this when reviewing the results.
How do I schedule an EEG brain map?
Call our office at (800) 385-0710 or email us at:
Based on my EEG brain map,
will you recommend specific interventions?
An EEG brain map can help identify if your brain function is being affected by nutritional deficiencies, environmental factors, genetic factors, sleep cycle dysfunction, or due to post-concussion activity. If one or more of these are identified, we will recommend specific nutritional interventions, changes to your diet, changes in lifestyle, specific genetic tests, or EEG biofeedback sessions (Neurofeedback) to optimize your brain’s electrical activity.
Who reviews my brain map results with me?
Once your brain map is fully processed, you will have a 1-hour consultation to review your brain map findings with our Director of Neuroscience, Bryan Hixson. Mr. Hixson is one of the leading neuroscience experts in quantitative EEG brain mapping, neurocognitive testing, neurofeedback brain training, and nutritional cellular health.
Mr. Hixson is a brain health expert consultant for AARP’s Staying Sharp platform, serving 38 million members. He is also the Director of Digital Brain Health for Sharecare/DoctorOz.com, the founder and neuroscience director of the Brain Performance Centers, and an EEG brain mapping contractor for the U.S. Army. Additionally, Mr. Hixson is the co-founder of BrainSpan Laboratories, which is used by over 1,000 doctors nationwide. It is the most clinically validated blood spot test available for optimizing fatty acids related to brain health.