Democracy versus Chaos. And, the winner is…

Our brain is very democratic. When we want to do something -- walk across the room, study for a test, drive a car, for example -- hundreds of millions of nerve cells "vote" on whether to fire or not. Some cells send excitatory messages (say "yes"), while others are inhibitory (say "no"). The greatest number wins, and the desired action or reaction occurs...or not.<

For over six decades, this “brain talk” has been recorded with the electroencephalogram (EEG). What is seen in the brain wave patterning is a highly complex mixture of many frequencies, all occurring simultaneously. This is visual evidence of the seemingly chaotic electrical energy our brain produces every second of every day and night. But, contrary to how it may seem, all this chaos is not a weakness. It is our brain's greatest strength. It is from this complexity that our brain pulls the resources to help us breath, eat, play, and meet the challenges of the day. Unfortunately, it can also be our most vulnerable weakness.

The brain out of control

Creating all this busy activity is not such a big deal for our brain. The problem is that harnessing and modulating these billions of simultaneously occurring electrical transactions require a lot of attention on our brain's part. If the brain loses control and these impulses get out of hand, nasty things happen. There is, as it turns out, a fine line between chaos and calamity.

When our brain is injured, from not getting enough oxygen or from a traumatic brain injury, for example, vital brain cells can be damaged. If this happens, the brain cells' ability to "vote" to fire or not fire is affected. Control and modulation of the complex energy is then compromised.

If the damaged brain is not able to control these impulses, the unbridled electrical energy can ricochet into sensitive brain areas. The consequence of this action can create what are commonly called seizures. A “small” seizure (“absence attack”) can be as simple as a staring spell lasting only a few seconds. Some seizures create behavioral changes or affect the senses, such as hearing bells, smelling something that is not there, or an automatic act such as plucking the clothes (simple or complex partial seizure). In the most dramatic seizure, commonly called a convulsion, consciousness and control is abruptly lost, and the body falls to the floor, jerks in spasms, moving rhythmically in an almost orchestrated way (Generalized tonic-clonic seizure). Afterward, confusion temporarily blurs the senses as the brain reorganizes and recharges its electrical energy.

For more information on seizures and epilepsy, Google “epilepsy” or click on one of the following references:

Epilepsy: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000694.htm

Seizures: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003200.htm

The cat that laid the golden egg

Some 40 years ago, brain researcher Barry Sterman discovered that hungry cats produce tiny 12 - 14 cycles per second brain waves while immobilizing to pounce on food or receive its next meal. Intrigued, following Dr. Pavlov’s famous conditioning experiment in which he found that dogs salivated in response to a bell or other stimuli that had previously signaled the delivery of food, Dr. Sterman found that he could teach his cats to produce these fast brain waves in order to receive their next meal.

Later, when Dr. Sterman was asked by the Air Force to see if he could discover why some NASA aerospace workers had seizures when exposed to jet fuel, he used some of his previously conditioned cats for the research. While it is not clear whether Dr. Sterman found the answer to the jet fuel/seizure problem, he did make a startling discovery: The cats that had been taught to produce the fast brain waves were naturally resistant to the jet fuel fumes. That is, cats previously trained to produce the special brain waves had fewer or no seizures than untrained cats!

People are cats, too

With this dramatic breakthrough, Dr. Sterman began to use Neurofeedback (called EEG biofeedback in those days) to train humans with drug-resistant epilepsy (seizures not being controlled with medicine) to produce increased 12-14 cycles per second brain wave activity while decreasing excessive slow activity. Using this technique, Dr. Sterman plus many other researchers and clinicians over the years have confirmed major reductions in the frequency and severity of seizures, even in those in which anticonvulsant drugs were not effective. (See the scientific reference list.)

Much has been learned since those dramatic days some 40 years ago. Today, we know a lot more about how the brain produces seizures and what can be done to stabilize and remediate brain function. The Quantitative EEG plays its part by defining the nature of the epilepsy and the compromised, out of control brain areas; NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency Training™ then gives the seizure-prone brain the precise information it needs to learn to properly fire its nerve cells and modulate its chaotic activity.

What is NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency Training(TM)?

NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency Training™ offers those with epilepsy and seizures a opportunity to lead a more normal, happy, and prosperous life. A Quantitative EEG (computerized brain wave analysis) defines where and in what way the brain is doing its job poorly; research based brain training protocols then remediate what is found.

Based on 20 years of research, NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency Training™ sessions currently include:

• Proprietary, clinically proven Neurofeedback (brain wave training) protocols created and developed by Dr. Marvin Sams, a medical professional with almost five decades of clinical and research experience.


• Exclusive Audio-Visual Entrainment (intricate flashing light and pulsing sound programs) developed by Dr. Sams to stabilize erratic brain wave patterns.*


• Transcranial DC Stimulation (tDCS) remediates brain function with a gentle DC current across the scalp. Over 60 scientific studies document the ability of tDCS to modulate and stabilize brain function.


• Heart Rate Variability, a biofeedback based breathing technique, is taught for greater emotional resilience and applied intelligence.

* Flashing lights (photic stimulation) presented at certain frequencies and over both eyes equally is known to produce epileptic discharges in the EEG and even seizures in a small percentage of the seizure prone population. Dr. Sams, an expert on epilepsy and the EEG and a published author on photic stimulation, has created audio-visual programs that present specific but different frequencies to both eyes. This independent stimulation prevents the synchronization of brain waves that precipitate seizures. These programs, all developed under EEG guidance, have show the ability to stabilize, remediate, and optimize brain function, including the normalization of photoconvulsive responses in two cases.

At the Sams Center, a Quantitative EEG is done before each session and statistical comparisons are made to the initial QEEG evaluation and the previous session to measure progress. Normative Reference Database reports (comparing the EEG patterning to those of normal subjects) are also frequently done to evaluate improvements in over and under active brain areas, Coherence (communication networks) and Phase (speed of transfer of energy). The EEG recording is also routinely analyzed visually for seizure discharges. This attention to detail allows the determination of progress session to session. This important benefit is offered only at The Sams Center.

Unlike drugs, NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency Training™ optimizes brain health. It is expected that focus, attention and learning ability will improve, mood to become better stabilized with a general sense of well being, memory sharpened, and emotional resilience enhanced.

Training Schedule

If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we schedule to your convenience. At least two to four sessions a week are recommended.

For those coming from outside the Dallas/Fort Worth area, a typical stay is two weeks. We do two sessions a day, working six days a week.

Many complete NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency Training in 24-30 sessions. Those with a traumatic brain injury, complicated symptoms, or a long history of drug use may take a few more sessions. Should this prove to be the case, training can be completed on a brief return visit in a few months or weeks, or with a special at-home trainer.

Fees

E-mail us from our Contact Page or call 972.733.3009 or 972.612.0160 for our current fee schedule.

To schedule an evaluation

Just call 972.733.3009 to arrange a convenient time for you or your family member to start.

For more information

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