Neurofeedback for Alzheimer: a study proposal

Previous studies have shown that dementia is associated with reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF), and various quantitative EEG (QEEG) abnormalities including a reduction in the dominant alpha frequency. The purpose of this study is to test whether neurofeedback training to normalize abnormal EEG activity and increase CBF can improve measures of memory and executive function. Twelve participants are currently enrolled, where half are randomly assigned to a waiting list control condition. All participants receive a comprehensive assessment of memory and executive function, and a QEEG assessment. Thirty sessions of QEEG-guided neurofeedback are administered, where a random half of participants also receive frontal CBF biofeedback during their sessions. Two treatment group participants and one control have presently completed the study. Compared to the control case, the treated cases showed improvements, ranging from modest to dramatic, in the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (attention and response control), the Rey Complex Figure (nonverbal recall), Memory Assessment System List Acquisition (verbal working memory), the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (executive symptom self-report), and the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) Verbal and Design Fluency, and Letter-Number Sequencing. These results should be interpretted cautiously because of low subject number. For example, neurofeedback appeared to result in a poorer performance on the Wisconsin Card Sort and DKEFS Word Context tests. Six additional participants are expected to complete post-testing in time for this presentation.