Neurofeedback of the Event Binding EEG Rhythm (40 Hz.) Improves Autistic Issues

Background: Forgotten research from the early '90s by Rudolpho Llinas found a 40 Hertz (cycles/second) MEG and EEG rhythm which binds together inputs and memories to form an event. It originates in the intralaminar nucleii of the thalamus and scans the brain 40 times a second, bringing the most relevant information back to the thalamus to be integrated (bound) into an event.

I hypothesize that disorders of this event binding system, which vary individually, are the basic flaw leading to many autistic issues.

We call this system “Neureka!” due to its role in discovery and new learning. We have developed a measurement of the particular 40 Hertz rhythm, the Neureka! Protocol, which isolates it from other 40 Hertz rhythms and EMG artifact, and developed a professional brainwave biofeedback system, the Peak BrainHappiness Trainer. This uses neurofeedback designs which combine training to enhance control of Neureka! and single pointed Focus—the InhibitAll protocol. The Neureka! level controls the size of the video or DVD playback, while Focus enhances the brightness. Low levels of either stop the playback.

Objectives: We tested its effectiveness in autistic teenagers in several studies. Its success led us to simplify the Trainer and create a home and clinical training system, the Socialize ACE, for the PC, which I will demonstrate. This provides the advantages of more frequent, less expensive sessions, which should improve learning.

Methods: The most recent study built on previous published work, and tested the design’s effectiveness as part of our Peak BrainHappiness Trainer, training two to three times a week during the summer instead of once in previous studies. It is ongoing at the University of South Carolina in Greenville.

Results: After 18 sessions of training, the first 8 subjects showed very significant improvements of parent ratings on the Achenbach scales for problems with Depression (p = .009), Attention (p = .001), Oppositional Defiant Behavior (p = .002), and p = .09 for Anxiety. The group average for each of these scales started out in the abnormal range and finished below the normal cutoff. The mean total score on the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 decreased very significantly (p = .006), or 51% toward the normal zone boundary of 59. These results appear to be better than the previously published work.

The training improves the user’s mood and they are very motivated to continue.

Conclusions: There is mounting evidence that the combination of 40 cycle Neureka! training and the InhibitAll Focus Training produces real and rapid improvements in several autistic issues. Also, a published study in normal subjects found significant gains in their memory and attention, and a significant improvement in happiness that lasted at least four months after only 12 sessions.

The results of the studies support the hypothesis that disorders of the 40 cycle Neureka! system, as well as focusing problems, may be important in the etiology of ASD.