1. New Directions in Live Z-Score Neurofeedback
Thomas F. Collura, Ph.D.
BrainMaster Technologies, Inc.
August 11, 2010

2. Current LZT Methods Individual Z-Scores Range Training
Multiple Range Training
PZOK

3. LZT Display

8. Current Status PZOK can train “inliers” or “outliers”
Narrow Targets, low percentage = challenge – ignores outliers
Wide Targets, high percentage = non-challenge – emphasizes outliers

9. Motivation for Z-Plus Continue with PZOK, add new capability
Train outliers by their tendency to move inward
Monitor global tendency toward normal
Watch z-scores in action

10. PZOK Training

12. Z-Plus
Z-Motive
Z-Mean
Z-Bars
Z-Maps

13. Z-Motive
Measures instantaneous change in all z-scores outside the targets
Negative (<0) if z-scores are moving away
Positive (>0) if z-scores are moving toward normal
Maximum value = 100 if all z-scores suddenly go inside their targets
“Tendency to normalize”

14. ZMotive

15. Z-Mean
Mean (absolute value) distance of all z-scores that are outside targets
Reflects average size of all outlying z-scores
Typical value: 2.0 – 4.0.
Changes “slowly”
“How abnormal are we?”

16. Z-Mean

17. Z-Plus Event Trends Simulation

18. Z-Plus Event Trends Live EEG Training

19. Z-Plus Event Trends Widening Target Sizes

20. Z-Bars Shows each and every Z-Score in two forms
One: Bar graph showing average (damped) value
Two: line and dot showing most recent change
Allows use to visualize all Z-Scores at once
See which Z-Scores are important

21. Z-Bars Delta Absolute Power 19 channels

22. Z-Bars 4 channels 248 Z-Scores

23. Z-Bars Delta Coherence 19-channel

24. 19-channel Coherence (partial)

25. Planetary Analogy Targets = “sun” Z-Scores = “planets”
PZOK = “how many planets are within the defined range
PZMO = “what is the tendency to move inward” (gravity)
PZME = “how far are they on average (size of solar system)
GOAL: A compact (normal) solar system

26. Sun and Planets

27. Z-Plus - Summary New metrics to guide and assess training
New displays to visualize changes
Enhanced visibility of brain dynamics
Addresses Outliers directly
Addresses Global level of normality
Appeals to notion of z-scores as “planets” and normality as “gravity”