This study from researchers in the UK, Italy and Germany sought to compare the effectiveness of neurofeedback contrasted with popular ADHD drug methylphenidate in treating the disorder. This disorder currently affects an estimated 3-5% of schoolchildren today, causing impulsiveness and hyperactivity, and frequently causing problems at home and school. Participants in this study were between 8-12 years old. Researchers examined the differences in their overall brain function after different participant groups underwent neurofeedback therapy versus treatment via methylphenidate. Their findings were that neurofeedback provided an effective alternative treatment for those who preferred a non-pharmaceutical method. To read more, click here.

This paper by researchers from Brown, University of California-Davis and Harvard Medical School explores numerous ways in which emerging neuroimaging technologies can be used to improve brain function for children and adolescents. Neurofeedback research provides substantial evidence of the correlation between brain abnormalities observed in EEG readings and disordered behavior, learning, thought, emotion and development. Because these disorders result from patterns of functional disturbance in the brain that can be identified using EEG technology, neurofeedback specialists can use their findings to train patients to self-correct dysfunctional patterns, helping to improve function and diminish or even eliminate the need for pharmaceutical …