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Innovative Research at New York College in collaboration with the University of Bolton, UK


04 October 2019
Innovative Research at New York College in collaboration with the University of Bolton, UK

Call for PhD Research Proposals in Neurofeedback: Deadline  October 31st, 2019

Department of Psychology

Supervised by Prof. Dr. J. N. Nestoros

Neurofeedback is a non-invasive method of direct training the EEG which is the chief manifestation of brain function. Neurofeedback’s most eminent effect is that the brain functions better. This is the result of the brain’s ability to regulate itself better (autoregulation or self-regulation). Self-regulation is a necessary part of good brain function. Self-regulation training allows the central nervous system to function better.

In neurofeedback we observe the brain in action (through monitoring its EEG) second by second. This is accomplished by recording the EEG from many different areas of the scull by using special paste to glue the electrodes to specific points on the scull. We show that information back to the person and we reward the brain for changing its own activity to more appropriate patterns. This is a gradual learning process. It applies to any aspect of brain function that we can measure.

The electrodes are placed according to the method of the “System Ten-Twenty” suggested by Jasper (1978) and adopted by the American Electroencephalographic Society (1991). Every electrode, depending on the location on the scull where it is placed, records (and trains the EEG) from a different brain structure, thus having different effects. For example, an electrode placed on point Fp2, records and trains the right frontal pole and results in improved emotional judgement and control. In contrast, an electrode placed on point Fp1, records and trains the brain activity of the left frontal pole and results in improved attention. Thus neurofeedback is used to ameliorate symptoms in a wide variety of psychological, psychiatric and neurological disorders (from panic attacks to autism). Moreover, it is employed to improve our brains’ abilities (for example Fp1 for attention, T3 for verbal memory, T5 for verbal understanding, C3 for sensorimotor integration (right), P3 for verbal reasoning, T5 for spelling, O1 for visual processing, Fz for working memory/absent mindedness, T6 emotional understanding, motivation & Asperger’s, etc.).

The Human EEG consists of frequencies ranging from 0 to above 100 Hertz and the brain is interested in each one of them. With modern equipment we can train people to increase or decrease any given frequencies and these changes in the encephalogram will have implications for brain functioning.  

 

In the experiments Professor Nestoros showed the participants of his talk at New York College (on Friday 27th September 2019), the Siegfried & Sue Othmer method of Neurofeedback was employed, the equipment used was created by bee Medic, the software was Cygnet and the rules and regulations of EEGInfo-Europe were followed.

Neurofeedback so far has strong claims to have beneficial effects in a wide variety of psychological (panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression etc), psychiatric (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia etc) neuropsychiatric (autism spectrum disorders, dementia etc) and neurological disorders (epilepsy, brain trauma etc). Nevertheless, so far, no controlled studies with appropriate methodology (i.e. double-blind placebo-controlled) have been carried out. This makes the topic ideal for a PhD candidate, with appropriate supervision. Moreover, the very way that Neurofeedback changes brain function (i.e. by supposedly increasing the brain’s autoregulation and/or bringing order into chaos) are more a matter of speculation that is not as yet supported by strong research data.   

The aim of the Ph.D. by research, with the University of Bolton at New York College, is to develop the methodologies to understand how Neurofeedback affects various brain states and test its long-term effectiveness.

For further information please contact the Department of Psychology at New York College:

New York College, Amalias, 38, Syntagma, 105 58, Tel: + (30) 210 322 5961, Email: nycath@nyc.gr, Website: http://www.nyc.gr

 

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