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Scientists from Imperial College London and Charing Cross
Hospital believe that it may be possible to improve memory by up
to 10 percent through the use of neurofeedback.
The results announced in the International Journal of Psychophysiology
this month show a link between neurofeedback training and improved
memory in a 40-person trial.
Dr David Vernon, from Imperial College London at the Charing Cross
hospital says: "Previous research has indicated that neurofeedback can be
used to help treat a number of conditions including Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder, epilepsy and alcoholism by training particular
aspects of brain activity, but this is the first time we have shown a link
between the use of neurofeedback, and improvements in memory."
Neurofeedback is a learning procedure that has been involved in
treatments enabling participants to normalize behaviour, stabilize mood
and improve their cognitive performance. It works by allowing people to
watch their brain activity, and through this, find a way to correct or
improve it.
Neurofeedback monitors brain activity through sensors attached to the
scalp with the key frequency components filtered out. These filtered
brainwaves are then 'fed back' to the individual in the form of a video
game displayed on screen, and the participant learns to control the game
by altering particular aspects of their brain activity. This alteration in
brain activity can influence cognitive performance. -- return to top --
Imperial College London - Researchers find link
between improved memory and the use of neurofeedback
For the trial, the volunteers completed a number of neurofeedback
sessions requiring them to enhance one aspect of brain activity while
simultaneously inhibiting others.
Participants completed two tests, both
before and after the neurofeedback training had been completed, to see if
neurofeedback would influence working memory performance. Working
memory refers to the type of memory used to hold and manipulate
information during the performance of a task, such as maintaining a
telephone number in mind in order to recall it later.
In both tests, the volunteers were presented with a series of words from
different categories, and following this were tested on how well they were
able to recall all the words from a specific category. Across both tests
those receiving neurofeedback increased their recall from 70.6 percent to
81.6 percent, while recall in the control group only increased from 72.5
percent to 75.1 percent.
Professor John Gruzelier, from Imperial College London at Charing Cross
hospital adds: "Neurofeedback has been proven to be effective in altering
brain activity, but the extent to which such alterations can influence
behaviour are still unknown. Further tests are needed to confirm this, but
if neurofeedback can positively influence the cognitive performance of
healthy individuals, as we have previously shown on attention and
musical performance, it opens up the possibility that such treatment may
be beneficial for those suffering from cognitive deficits".
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For more information, please contact:
Notes to editors:
1. The effect of training distinct neurofeedback protocols on aspects of cognitive
performance International Journal of Psychophysiology, Volume 47, Issue 1, pp 75-85.
2. Neurofeedback refers to a form of biofeedback, linked to a specific aspect of brain
activity, such as frequency, location, amplitude or duration of specific EEG activity.
3. Consistently rated in the top three UK university institutions, Imperial College London
is a world leading science-based university whose reputation for excellence in teaching
and research attracts students (10,000) and staff (5,000) of the highest international
quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science,
medicine, engineering and management and delivers practical solutions that enhance
the quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.
Website: www.imperial.ac.uk
4. Charing Cross Hospital is part of the Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust, which also
includes the Hammersmith, Queen Charlottes and Ravens Court Park hospitals.
Website: www.hhnt.org
©2003 Imperial College London
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