Biofeedback in the treatment of epilepsy

Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
M B Sterman

Abstract

This review traces the application of electroencephalographic (EEG) operant conditioning, or biofeedback, from animal research to its emergence as an alternative treatment for the major types of seizure disorder. Initial animal studies focusing on brain mechanisms that mediate learned behavioral inhibition revealed a uniquely correlated 12- to 15-Hz EEG rhythm localized to sensorimotor cortex. We labeled this the sensorimotor rhythm, or SMR. The similarity of the SMR to the known EEG spindle pattern during quiet sleep led to the novel idea of attempting to increase the SMR using EEG operant conditioning. The hypothesis was that this might produce a corresponding increase in sleep spindle activity, thus establishing a common EEG marker for the state of motor inhibition. Results supported this hypothesis but led also to the accidental discovery of an anticonvulsant effect on drug-induced seizures in cats and monkeys. Continuing animal studies identified a pattern of neurophysiologic responses correlated with the SMR in primary motor pathways. These and other findings were indicative of reduced motor excitability. Simultaneously, we undertook studies in human epileptic subjects that documented a significant reduction in seizure in...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 21, 2012·Neurotherapeutics : the Journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics·Sandra K Loo, Scott Makeig
Jun 16, 2012·Case Reports in Medicine·Edward C MaderMichael E Carey
Mar 1, 2014·Revue neurologique·J A Micoulaud-FranchiF Bartolomei
Mar 10, 2015·Applied Neuropsychology. Child·Teresa Bailey, Arthur Joyce
Dec 21, 2018·The European Journal of Neuroscience·David Papo

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