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Frequently Asked Questions

 
 

Who is Neurotopia Medical Group?

We first realized the benefits of neurofeedback in 2007 as an adjunctive measure to relieve chronic pain at Riverlakes Wellness Center in Bakersfield.

Our team was fascinated and amazed at the high level of success we were able to achieve for our most difficult patients. Patients desperate to find a neurofeedback provider flocked to our center for many other conditions and issues.

The concept and scope of Neurotopia was broadened and developed into a comprehensive center to meet the needs of all types of patients.

Neurotopia is the industry forerunner in offering medical grade neuro-therapy and Quantitative EEG imaging. Our Medical Advisory Board is comprised of some of the world’s leading experts in neuro-physiology, which includes physicians, psychologists and exercise scientists.

Christopher Bradburn, DO, FAAEM

Dr. Bradburn is a co-founder and director of Sports Medicine for Neurotopia Medical Group. He is the President and Medical Director of Riverlakes Wellness Medical Group, a multi-specialty group with a focus on sports medicine and athletic rehabilitation. Dr. Bradburn has specialized training in both neurofeedback and Quantitative EEG interpretation. Dr. Bradburn is board-certified in Emergency Medicine, and is recognized as an Assistant Clinical Professor for the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Warren Wisnoff, DO, MSPHE

Dr. Wisnoff is a co-founder and Director of Clinical Medicine at Neurotopia Medical Group. He is dual board certified in Internal Medicine and in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Wisnoff is an osteopathic physician and surgeon, is certified in neurofeedback and has received specialized training in Quantitative EEG interpretation.

Leslie Sherlin, PhD, QEEG-D, BCIA-EEG, BCIAC

Dr. Sherlin has the degrees of B.A. in Psychology, M.S. in Clinical Psychology and Ph.D. in Psychology. He is on the board of directors for both the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research and the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America. He is certified at the Diplomat Level in QEEG and is BCIA certified both in general and EEG biofeedback.

Holden MacRae, PhD

Dr. MacRae, a Professor of Sports Medicine at Pepperdine University, is a research physiologist specializing in optimizing exercise metabolism and sports performance. Dr. MacRae holds a Ph.D. in Physiology, an M.Ed. in Exercise Physiology and a B.S. in Sports Science. Dr. MacRae is focused on the determination of optimal training thresholds in elite cyclists and runners. He studies the metabolic, cardiovascular, and muscular variables that contribute to optimal exercise performance during high-intensity exercise. Dr. MacRae serves on the Editorial Board for the International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching.

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What is Quantitative EEG Brain-mapping?

Quantitative EEG brain-mapping is an assessment tool to objectively and scientifically evaluate a person's brainwave function. This is a non-invasive diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity coming from 19 areas of the brain as shown below.
What is QEEG Brainmapping?

After reading the "raw data," as shown on the left, we select areas of the raw data that are free from "artifact" (eye movements, too much muscle tension, etc.). Those chunks of data are analyzed for statistical relevance. The size, frequency and coordination of the various waves are measured by sophisticated software and presented as statistical "brain-maps."

QEEG Brain-mapping has shown a scientifically documented ability to aid in the evaluation of conditions such as mild traumatic brain injury, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, panic disorder, autism, schizophrenia, stroke, epilepsy, and dementia.

 
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What is Neurotopia Neurofeedback Treatment (NNT)?

Neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback, is a type of physical therapy (operant conditioning) for your brain. It treats the faulty brainwave activity that is associated with conditions such as ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, pain and other conditions.

During neurofeedback, the latest technology is used to train your brain to correct the faulty brainwave activity, resulting in improved day-to-day functioning. You can think of neurofeedback as “brain exercise.” Like a muscle, your brain gets stronger the more you train it. Since your brain controls every nerve, system, muscle and organ in your body, when it works at maximum efficiency, you feel better and perform better.

Example:

When a patient goes to physical therapy after a stroke, the therapist may ask them to sit up straight. Some patients say and think they are sitting up straight but the therapist can see they are leaning to one side. Their brain is telling them that they are sitting up straight because their brain is not calibrated correctly due to the stroke. The way to fix this with physical therapy is to put a mirror in front of the patient so they can see (feedback) that they are not sitting up straight. Practice and training in front of a mirror will eventually correct this problem.

Neurofeedback is like putting a mirror in front of your brain and showing it its dysregulated brain waves. Neurofeedback then allows the brain to recalibrate these waves. When the brain is correctly calibrated (regulated), symptoms such as ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, chronic pain, migraines, etc. that were associated with the dysregulation will be reduced or eliminated.

 
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How Successful is the Treatment?

About 90 percent of our patients have improvements beyond their expectations.

Results range from "mild" to what some would think is "miraculous." This high success rate is even more dramatic when you consider most of our patients are refractory to traditional therapies.

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Are the Improvements Permanent?

If brain dysregulation is the primary issue being addressed the answer is YES. Studies with ADHD show gains were maintained for 10 years.
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Should I Continue Taking My Medications?

Medications will NOT limit the success of NNT. In fact, many people will be able to decrease doses or stop medications altogether after NNT, but not all. This needs to be done with close contact with your prescribing doctor.
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Are There Any Side Effects?

There are no published long lasting side effects of NNT. Temporary side effects can occur, but can be quickly remedied by changing treatment protocols.
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How Long Has the Treatment Been Around?

Treatment around 1800 - 1920s

  • 1875, Caton discovers fluctuations in electrical actvity following mental activity.
  • 1920, Berger records the first EEG.

Treatment around 1960s

  • 1960, Miller proves subjects could alter their autonomic nervous system through operant conditioning.
  • 1963, Kayama proves subjects could increase their alpha states with verbal cues.
  • 1968, Sterman serendipitously discovers NFT made cats seizure resistant while testing rocket fuel for NASA.

Treatment around 1970s

  • 1970 - 1980, Duffy discovers the QEEG and normative databases are created.
  • 1976 - 1979, Lubar proves NFT improved behavior of ADHD children.

Treatment around 1980 - 1990s

  • 1980, Sue and Siegfried Othmer are introduced to NFT.
  • 1990, The Othmers organize a large scale training of clinicians.
  • 1990 - Present, Improved computer technology coupled with more widespread use amongst providers contribute to increased evidence in support of NFT.

Treatment around 2000s

  • 2000, Research into emerging applications increases dramatically (eg. Autism)
  • 2004, Three separate studies demonstrate patients learning voluntary control of areas of the brain when provided feedback in real time from MRI, proving what neurofeedback providers have known for 30 years.
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What Clinical Studies and Research Are There?

Neurotopia is dedicated to educating those who want understand neurofeedback and the benefits of this non-invasive, state-of-the art technology. We offer resources to help you understand your symptoms or illness. Review our resource topics for general information and if you have a question that is not addressed in this section, please contact us to schedule your FREE NNT consultation.
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