APRIL 2005
A Cost/Benefit Analysis of Different Intervention Models for the LD/Special Education Student
Kirtley Thornton, PhD S
Winter 2004
Abstract:
Since the decade of the brain was declared in 1990, there have been impressive advances in the area of neurodiagnostic instrumentation measuring the physical functioning of the brain and providing a deeper understanding of the functioning of the brain.
However, scientific advances allowing us to alter the mind’s functioning have not followed the speed and sophistication of these developments in assessment and understanding. This article presents a cost/benefit analysis across several remediation approaches for Learning Disabilities, and shows the superiority of one method.
The method is the development of an activation QEEG database (0-64 Hz) to guide intervention protocols applying QEEG biofeedback to the treatment of learning disabilities.
Outcome studies of this method have provided evidence of its ability to improve memory ability in the learning disabled student an average of 3 standard deviations.
Complete article
The Clinical Role of Computerized EEG in the Evaluation and Treatment of Learning and Attention Disorders in Children and Adolescents.
Chabot RJ, di Michele F, Prichep L, John ER.
Department of Psychiatry, Brain Resarch Laboratories, New York University School of Medicine, NY, USA.
Quantitative EEG (QEEG) can play an important role in the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with attention deficit and learning disorders.
Children with learning disorders are a heterogeneous population with QEEG abnormality in 25% to 45% of reported cases. EEG slowing is the most common abnormal finding, and the nature of the QEEG abnormality may be related to future academic performance.
Children with attention disorders are a more homogeneous population, with QEEG abnormalities in up to 80%. In this population, frontal/polar regions are most likely to show deviations from normal development, with the thalamocortical and/or septal-hippocampal pathways most likely to be disturbed.
QEEG shows high sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing normal children and children with learning disorders and attention disorders from each other and may provide useful information for determining the likelihood that children with attention problems will respond to treatment with stimulant medication.
Functional Specificity in the Right Human Auditory Cortex for Perceiving Pitch Direction
Previous lesion and functional imaging studies in humans suggest a greater involvement of right rather than left auditory cortical areas in certain aspects of pitch processing.
In the present study, adaptive psychophysical procedures were used to determine auditory perceptual thresholds in 14 neurologically normal subjects, and in 31 patients who had undergone surgical resection from either the right or left temporal lobe for the relief of intractable epilepsy. In a subset of the patients, the lesion encroached significantly upon the gyrus of Heschl or its underlying white matter as determined from MRI analysis.
Subjects were asked to perform two different perceptual tasks on the same set of stimuli. In a pitch discrimination task, the subject had to decide whether two elements of a pure tone pair were the same or different. In a task requiring the judgement of direction of pitch change, subjects decided whether pitch rose or fell from the first tone to the second.
Thresholds were determined by measuring the minimum pitch difference required for correct task performance. Mean thresholds in the pitch discrimination task did not differ between patient groups and control subjects. In contrast, patients with temporal lobe excisions that encroached upon the gyrus of Heschl in the right hemisphere (but not in the left) showed significantly elevated thresholds when judging the direction of pitch change.
These findings support a specialization of function linked to right auditory cortical areas for the processing of pitch direction, and specifically suggest a dissociation between simple sensory discrimination and higher order perception.
complete article
Neurofeedback Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children: A Comparison with Methylphenidate
Thomas Fuchs
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
28 (1): 1-12, March 2003
Copyright © 2003 Plenum Publishing Corporation
Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tübingen, Germany
Niels Birbaumer
Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Trento, Italy
Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Science, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
Jochen Kaiser
Abstract
Clinical trials have suggested that neurofeedback may be efficient in treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We compared the effects of a 3-month electroencephalographic feedback program providing reinforcement contingent on the production of cortical sensorimotor rhythm (12-15 Hz) and beta1 activity (15-18 Hz) with stimulant medication.
Participants were N = 34 children aged 8-12 years, 22 of which were assigned to the neurofeedback group and 12 to the methylphenidate group according to their parents' preference.
Both neurofeedback and methylphenidate were associated with improvements on all subscales of the Test of Variables of Attention, and on the speed and accuracy measures of the d2 Attention Endurance Test.
Furthermore, behaviors related to the disorder were rated as significantly reduced in both groups by both teachers and parents on the IOWA-Conners Behavior Rating Scale.
These findings suggest that neurofeedback was efficient in improving some of the behavioral concomitants of ADHD in children whose parents favored a nonpharmacological treatment
Acupuncture Reduces Impairment of Osteoarthritis
Medinews.com
3/27/2005
A landmark study has shown that acupuncture not only provides pain relief but also improves function for people with osteoarthritis. These findings were reported in the December 21, 2004, issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
The multicenter phase III clinical trial involved 570 patients, age 50 and older, with osteoarthritis of the knee. Participants had significant pain in their knees the month before joining the study, had not experienced acupuncture, had not had knee surgery in the prior six months, and had not used steroids or other injections. They were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or participation in a self-help group. Patients continued to receive standard medical care, including anti-inflammatory medications such as COX-2 selective inhibitors, opioid pain relievers, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The progress of patients was assessed at four, eight, 14, and 26 weeks. By week eight, acupuncture patients were showing a significant increase in function and by week 14, a significant decrease in pain, compared with the other two groups. The results held through week 26. Overall, those who received acupuncture had a 40% decrease in pain and a nearly 40% improvement in function.
This trial, which builds upon our previous NCCAM [U.S. Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine]-funded research, establishes that acupuncture is an effective complement to conventional arthritis treatment and can be successfully employed as part of a multidisciplinary approach to treating the symptoms of osteoarthritis, noted study leader Brian Berman, M.D., director of the Center for Integrative Medicine and professor of family medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (Baltimore).
The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. More than 20 million people in the United States alone have osteoarthritis.
Study Shows Ritalin Triples Chromosome Abnormalities Associated with Increased Cancer Risk and Other Adverse Health Effects.
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB)
In a small but startling preliminary new study, Texas researchers have found that after just three months, every one of a dozen children treated for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with the drug methylphenidate (commonly known by the brand name Ritalin) experienced a threefold increase in levels of chromosome abnormalities-occurrences associated with increased risks of cancer and other adverse health effects.
The authors said they undertook the study because, even though methylphenidate has been approved for human use for more than 50 years, “there are surprisingly few studies” in either animals or human beings “on the potential for serious side effects,” such as causing mutations and cancer.
The researchers say that to their knowledge this is the first study addressing the potential chromosome-breaking effects associated with treatment of children with methylphenidate, the generic name for a group of drugs that includes Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate CD and others.
Abstract
Two years ago another study looking into the connection of cancer and Ritalin was also published.
Ritalin and Cancer Risks
American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines for Treating Behavioral Disorders in Children with Ritalin Ignores Evidence of Cancer Risks warns Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.
Date of Publication:3/12/2003
Based on an industry-funded multi-university trial on 282 pre-teen children treated with Ritalin for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), published in Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics has endorsed the use of the drug. However, the Academy ignores clear evidence of the drug's cancer risks of which parents, teachers and school nurses, besides most pediatricians and psychiatrists, still remain uninformed and unaware.
Some 40 years after the drug was first marketed by Ciba Geigy, carcinogenicity tests were conducted at the tax payer's expense by the National Toxicology Program, the results of which were published in 1995.
Adult mice were fed Ritalin over a two-year period at dosages close to those prescribed to children. The mice developed a statistically significant incidence of liver abnormalities and tumors, including highly aggressive rare cancers known as hepatoblastomas. These findings are particularly disturbing as the tests were conducted on adult, rather than young mice which would be expected to be much more sensitive to carcinogenic effects.
The National Toxicology Program concluded that Ritalin is a "possible human carcinogen," and recommended the need for further research. While still insisting that the drug is safe, the Food and Drug Administration admitted that these findings signal "carcinogenic potential," and required a statement to this effect in the drug's package insert. However, these inserts are not seen by parents or nurses.
Neurotherapy and Diet Therapies Help Autistic Child
At a doctor's office, Christiane read an article about neurofeedback therapy.
When they arrived at the neurofeedback office in August, a month before Bobby turned 3. He was strapped into his stroller, screaming.
Preston recognized Bobby's behavior. She applied electrodes to his scalp, connecting him to a computer that beeped each time his brain responded correctly.
Five weeks later, Bobby seemed calmer and happier. Preschool teachers sent him home with smiley-face stickers instead of frowns.
Christiane continued her search. On the Internet, she found a site that recommended removing food additives and dyes from the diet.
At a conference Christiane met Great Plains' William Shaw who spoke about vitamin deficiencies, food allergies and heavy metals.
Christiane followed Shaw's suggestions, changing Bobby's diet, adding the supplements.
In mid-November, four days after he started taking the pills, Bobby changed.
Shaw claims to have seen many such transformations.
"The best results are obtained with the youngest children," he said. "If you get a child at 2 years old, you're much more likely to have a reversal compared to starting at 8."
Shaw knows it's controversial to suggest that the mercury from childhood vaccines could contribute to autism. Several studies have found no connection. But when metals are removed, through chelation therapy, he said he's seen symptoms improve.
Bobbie recently had chelation therapy added to his regimen, and he continues to improve.
"I'm not saying that he's perfect yet," Christiane said. "[But] he's not angry like he was. He's much happier. I just want to give him the very best start I can."
complete story
Diet Gains Focus in ADHD, Autism
Provided by The Arizona Daily Star 3/19/2005
by Carla McClain
Brandon had always been a handful at home. But when he started school, his problems spiraled out of control.
Hyper. Disrupting the class. Unable to focus. Trouble learning to read. Trouble making friends. Teachers complaining.
It went on four long years - through third grade. Finally, a year ago, a local doctor stepped in and changed Brandon's diet. Took him off sugar, chocolate, wheat cereal, anything with red dye. Added a daily multivitamin and omega-3 fatty acid (fish oil) supplements.
Bingo.
"The turnaround was tremendous," said his mother, Dellma Valles. "He's starting to sleep through the night; he's much more calm during the day. He's getting decent grades, and he's caught up in reading."
Unlike so many kids with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - the most common childhood psychiatric disorder in the nation - Brandon, now 9, has never had to take Ritalin or any psychoactive stimulant drug to curb his behavior.
complete story
Acupuncture Studied for Hot Flashes, Cancer Woes
Bradenton Herald
3/12/2005
by PATRICIA ANSTETT
A Detroit team is studying acupuncture as a treatment for hot flashes caused by breast cancer treatments. It's a therapy that holds hope for other cancer-related problems.
Chemotherapy medicines and the drug tamoxifen, taken by thousands of women to prevent a recurrence of breast cancer, cause hot flashes, often debilitating ones, in nearly two-thirds of patients, says Dr. Eleanor Walker, a radiation oncologist at Detroit's Henry Ford Health System and principal investigator of the study.
"Patients are tired of taking drugs with side effects," Walker says, referring to herbal supplements, anti depressants and other medicines women take to reduce hot flashes.
A two-year study, started in October, hopes to build on a growing body of research that may help make acupuncture an option for treating other cancer-related problems.
"The evidence is fairly strong for a number of indications, especially pain," caused by cancer, "but we need more randomized trials," says Barrie Cassileth, Ph.D., chief of the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York.
Sloan-Kettering also is studying the use of acupuncture to relieve hot flashes in breast cancer patients and contrasting that approach with a fake type of acupuncture being used in a comparison group. "It seems to be pretty effective," Cassileth says. Over the last few years, the center has found acupuncture useful for cancer-related problems such as chronic fatigue, dry mouth and post-surgical pain, Cassileth says.
complete story
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