QUANTITATIVE EEG BRAIN MAPPING
(QEEG) BRAIN MAPPING
A quantitative EEG is a brain map. This is an electrical measurement, analysis, and quantification of the brainwaves. The brainwaves are the brain’s verbing, or the action potentials of the brain. We first gather the raw EEG data, and then we process it through a normative database, which is a database of healthy individuals’ brainwaves of the same age as the patient. This gives us a comparison of the client’s brain relative to others’. This is the first step in our assessment process.
The brain mapping process entails placing a cap with 20 electrodes onto the head of the participant and injecting gel into the electrodes. Then, we use the electrodes to pick up microvolts of electrical potentials generated by the brain, which show up as brainwaves (looks like squiggles).
We then interpret the squiggles in their raw form, as well as run them through many types of digitized filters (i.e. different software), that breaks them into their respective components and brainwave bandwidths of Delta (0-4 Hz), theta (5-8 Hz), alpha (9-12 Hz), low beta (13-16 Hz), mid beta (17-25Hz), hi beta (26-40Hz), and gamma (41-70Hz).
With this data and the use of different databases of hundreds of others’ EEGs, we are able to determine where the individual is different from the norm—for better or for worse. We are able to look not only at the brainwaves, but also the relationship of the brainwaves to one another, the symmetry of the brain, the stability of the brainwave relationships, and the areas where the brain might be generating problematic signals, manifesting in problematic symptoms and behaviors.
This form of assessment provides the roadmap that all training follows.
Each full Brain Map consists of the following:
- Initial intake meeting and EEG collection (2 hour)
- Written QEEG Report
- Follow up brain map report review and delivery of results, and treatment recommendations (1 hour).
The qEEG is used to generate a unique and custom data driven protocol. This is a blueprint for training your brain.
How does QEEG work?
The procedure is a three-part process, which entails:
- Initial visit and intake, including 20 minutes of EEG recording; During this process, we read and understand the “raw data,” (the “squiggles” that are the brainwaves). Then, we remove all “artifact” (eye movements, muscle tension, etc.).
- EEG Analysis and report work up: The amplitude, frequency and relationships between different areas of the cortex are analyzed then measured statistically by the software (see below) and presented — in quantified form — as “brain maps.” Your EEG is compared to a reference database of other EEGs.
- Delivery of final Quantitative EEG Report.
The report work-up includes the consultation of various cortical and sub-cortical databases and the use of multiple software and brain imagining applications. The final report is approximately 15-30 pages in length, complete with summary page, explanatory pictures, graphics, and terminology that is accessible for the layperson, yet true to scientific form. The composition of the report often entails 3-5 hours of additional research.
Intuitive Human is Jacksonville’s only neurostimulation practitioner who has chosen to mentor under Dr. Tiff Thompson and Dr. Nicholas Dogris who are Santa Barbara’s only Quantified EEG Diplomates (qEEG-D), meaning they have been given the highest distinction in regards to these capabilities:
- Analyzing brain maps (qEEG)
- Editing raw EEG
- Interpreting EEG for drug effects (prescription, over the counter, and street drugs)
- Normative Database analysis
- Clinical and Cognitive aspects of EEG
- Montaging and utilizing/interpreting spectral and topographical aspects of EEG
When assessing data, like raw brainwaves (EEG), skills like these are imperative. Without the right training, a clinician might confuse noise in the EEG data with brainwaves, which would result in wrongly training the brain based on false assumptions.
Be Curious. Listen Deeper.
Listen to the whispers that matter.