April 2020 - 11

post-treatment, as compared to pre-treatment.*
SPECT scans allow doctors to see how blood flows
throughout the brain, and show a differentiation and
often lack of blood flow to injured areas. SPECT
scans are important tests in detecting evidence of TBI,
especially in cases where the injury is mild and unable to
be detected on either an MRI or CT scan.
* qEEG brain mapping. To date, neuroimaging research
has failed to resolve differences between certain types
of TBI. Perhaps the most critical distinction is why
some TBI patients fully recover while others continue to
experience symptoms. qEEG brain mapping is a portable,
neurodiagnostic test of brain function that measures the
brain's electrical activity and analyzes overall brain health.
This dynamic tool utilizes 19 channels and is used for
measuring real-time brain activation and connectivity.
We analyze brain activity through an innovative and
science-based software system, providing a 3D analysis
to truly understand the strengths and weaknesses of an
athlete's brain. qEEG brain mapping gives us the ability
to view the dynamic changes taking place throughout the
brain while processing tasks and assists in determining
which areas of the brain are fully engaged and processing
efficiently, and which are not, especially after brain injury.
Unlike relatively new functional imaging procedures,
qEEG provides a continuous measure of cortical function.
In fact, new scientific studies suggest that qEEG brain
mapping is superior to other structural neuroimaging
techniques in detecting brain dysfunction related to TBI
and post-concussion syndrome.
Why technologies like qEEG are the future
It has long been known that the brain is the central core
of all human functions - cognitive, emotional, social,
interpersonal and intrapersonal. qEEG brain mapping has
been shown to link specific symptoms to functional systems
in the brain, which is important in evaluating the overall
health and efficiency of cognitive and perceptual functions.*
One thing to keep in mind is that qEEG brain mapping
is not intended to provide a diagnosis by itself. It's used
to safely evaluate the nature and severity of deregulation
in the brain, such as a mild TBI. It provides a quantitative
assessment of areas of brain dysfunction and information
on impaired conduction and connectivity between different
regional neural networks in the brain. It allows clinicians to
provide baseline testing, accurate symptom identification,
individualized treatment plans, and quantifiable reports
on brain functioning. On top of its significant benefits in
analyzing and applying successful treatment protocols,
which optimize the regeneration of neural networks, qEEG is
portable, easily applied and non-invasive.
We must find better ways to analyze concussions and
TBIs, especially in athletes who might not show symptoms
or refuse to acknowledge symptoms. This is especially
important in protecting our players from future injury, not
only to the brain, but also other areas of the body due to
decreased normal brain function.
*For a list of references, visit www.xtremeperformancelab.
com/coachandathleticdirector/
Dr. Michael Mark is the director of science and
technology at Xtreme Performance Lab, a company
providing cutting edge technologies to elite athletes
for peak performance, improved well-being and injury
recovery. He is board certified in neurofeedback and
an associate fellow of the Biofeedback Certification
International Alliance. Since 1995, he has specialized
in both peripheral and EEG biofeedback training, with
an emphasis on sports concussion and traumatic brain
injury acute clinical assessment, rehabilitation and
return-to-play programming and elite level performance
optimization.
2020 Tech Guide | 11
http://www.xtremeperformancelab
April 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2020
