Mobile health and the brain
Context 10 essentials for brain performance – Diet – Removing negative thoughts – Exercise – Brain nutrients – Positive peers – Clean environment – Sleep (Zeo, FitBit) – Brain protection – New learning – Stress management
Outline Diagnostics and passive training Active modification
Diagnostics and passive training Indirect and direct measures of brain function via biofeedback and neurofeedback HPA axis – Growth vs. Defense – Anabolic vs. Catabolic – Rest/Digest vs. Fight/Flight – Parasympathetic vs. Sympathetic – Stressed vs. Relaxed – Endorphins/HGH/GABA/Serotonin vs. Cortisol/Adrenaline
Biofeedback (Heart-rate monitoring) Provide a heads-up, real-time display of how the brain is doing
Biofeedback (HRV)
Biofeedback HRV training games (2min mark)
Biofeedback (Blood-flow monitoring) Hemoencephalographic (HEG) biocompresearch.com
Biofeedback (EEG monitoring a.k.a Neurofeedback) Tan Le (First 7:40)
Neurofeedback systems B-Alert (b-alert.com) Mimic experts
Neurofeedback What is Neurofeedback? Autism and neurofeedback (First 1:30, 3:30-5:30)
Active modification Using computer-controlled external signals to modify brain activity – Audio – Electrical – Magnetic
Audio: Binaural Beats For example, if a frequency of 100 Hz is played in one ear and 107 Hz is played in the other ear, a binaural beat of 7 Hz is created by the brain. Brain waves match or “follow” the binaural beat. If the binaural beat is 7 Hz, an increase in brain waves of 7 Hz occurs.
Brainwave states
Electrical: tDCS, tACS Transcranial Direct/Alternating Current Stimulation (tDCS/tACS) – ARP POV – High-performance activities – Neurological disorders
Magnetic: TMS, SomaPulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation – Used to stimulate stem-cell production – Trials for treating Alzheimer’s