NEUROFEEDBACK for EPILEPSY 
EPILEPSY
Definition  Etiology Symptoms NEUROFEEDBACK and EPILEPSY Studies
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DEFINITION
A group of disorders recognized by chronic, recurrent, paroxysmal changes in cerebral function; and brief attacks of altered consciousness/motor activity/sensory phenomena due to abnormalities of the electrical system of the brain. Also known as "epilepsy".
ETIOLOGY
Epilepsy is defined as symptomatic or idiopathic. At least 75% of adult sufferers, and a small minority of children, have idiopathic epilepsy that does not lend itself to specific treatment leading to cures. The condition can occur at any age from a number of causes:
•From 1-2 years old (Infants): Paranatal hypoxia and ischemia; intracranial birth injury; acute infection with high fever; genetic disorders; metabolic conditions (hypoglycemia, hypomagnesaemia, etc.).
•2-12 years old (Children): Idiopathic; acute infection (especially if have similar history as an infant); trauma.
•12-18 years old (Adolescent): Idiopathic; trauma; alcohol or drug withdrawal; arteriovenous malformations.
•18-35 years old (Young adults): Trauma; alcoholism; brain tumor.
•>35 years old (Older adult): Brain tumor; cerebrovascular disease; alcoholism, metabolic conditions (uremia, hepatic failure, etc.).
SYMPTOMS
•Simple partial seizure: May have motor, sensory , autonomic or psychic expressions. Muscle activity may remain in one area or spread to include more musculature (Jacksonian, March).
•Complex partial seizures: These cause episodic changes in consciousness where the patient will lose contact with others and his/her surroundings. An aura may precede the attack (unusual smell, perception, Deja vu, etc.). Often most motor activity stops excepts for a specific motor motion such as picking at one's clothes, or lip smacking.
•Tonic-clonic (grand mal): The attack usually begins suddenly with no warning. The seizure follows a typical pattern: loss of consciousness; tonic muscle contraction; loss of postural control and a cry as the respiratory muscles contract. Then a rhythmic contraction of muscles begins in all four limbs: this clonic phase lasts until the muscles relax (often minutes). As the patient recovers, he/she is often confused and drowsy (post-ictal phase).
•Tonic seizures: These seizures have the rigid posturing of the body from overall muscle contractions without the clonic phase.
•Absence seizures (petit mal): These seizures consist of sudden loss of conscious connection to the environment without any associated muscle activity. They typically last only seconds or minutes and can be so brief that they are hardly noticeable. There is no post-seizure confusion and the patient regains consciousness rapidly.
•Myoclonic seizures: These seizures are characterized by sudden, brief, single or repetitive muscle contractions of one body part or the entire body.
NEUROFEEDBACK AND EPILEPSY
The technique of EEG biofeedback training was first used therapeutically for epilepsy, and the scientific literature is most extensive for this condition, dating back to the early 1970's. EEG biofeedback has been shown to be helpful for all kinds of epilepsy, including petit mal, grand mal, and complex partial seizures. A variety of training protocols have been used successfully. However, the technique did not become widely accepted. This is ascribed to the fact that initially the training took a very long time, was not widely available, and was very expensive. Also, there was no agreement on a model of efficacy.
In many cases of epilepsy, pharmacological intervention is sufficient to achieve seizure control. However, other behavioral correlates are still observed. In other cases, the anticonvulsant medication may be accompanied by significant side effects on the client's mood, sleep, mental alertness, and cognitive ability.
The behavioral consequences appear to be associated with what is most likely "sub-clinical seizure activity", namely cortical disturbances which are qualitatively similar to seizure phenomena, but not quantitatively sufficient to result in a well-defined seizure. These phenomena are what the neurologist looks for in a clinical EEG, or electroencephalogram.
EEG biofeedback is likely to achieve regulation of such behavioral disturbances even before an improvement in seizure incidence is observed. EEG biofeedback training may also be used to reduce the medication dose required to achieve seizure control, and hence reduce the side effects attributable to such medication. Persons under medication must remain under the active supervision of their prescribing physician as they undergo the training. Following the advice of the prescribing physician is particularly important because of the potential need to adjust the medication as the training proceeds..
STUDIES 
For a Comprehensive Neurofeedback Bibliography [PDF], please click here 
