Abstract:

Since its inception in 2010, the Center for Collaborative Brain Research (CCBR) has completed eight cutting edge brain studies. This innovative center in a mid-western city combines its resources allowing professionals from diverse disciplines to work together. Two co-directors facilitate and manage the operations of the center. Proposals are written to the board for consideration. The results of these projects must have contributions from at least one university faculty, a physicist, a radiologist and a neurologist and any other needed consultants. The research must also involve the use of our fMRI (Functional magnetic resonance imaging), and gain approval through the community Institutional Review Board. The published articles have all authors as contributors creating a true multidisciplinary and translational research project.

One such example is a pilot study with medicated children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) using neurofeedback (NFB) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging fMRI. Neurofeedback is a noninvasive brain-based intervention using the principles of operant and classical conditioning to assist in modulating the dysregulation in brainwave functioning. This study randomly assigned twelve subjects to a treatment and a control group. All subjects had pre and post test fMRIs. The treatment group then received 40 sessions of 20 minute NFB sessions at 12-15 Hertz at CZ which is the Sensory Motor Rhythm. The results of this project demonstrated that the amplitude of 12-15 was raised statistically. Another result in this study was that NFB consolidated the Default Mode Network (DMN) at a resting state to properly activate the posteriorcingulate, precuneus, the temporoparietal junction and the cerebellar tonsils. Both results assisted the treatment group to reduce and/or eliminate presenting symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and nonreflective abilities.

The creation of our brain center (CCBR) using multidisciplinary teams offers new and unique perspectives toward solving complex brain research problems and concerns.

Keywords:

Brain Research Center, Collaboration, Neurofeedback, fMRI, Default Mode Network.