In this presentation I will discuss two studies which evaluate the effects of optimal doses of
methylphenidate (Ritalin) on quantitative EEG
measures in
individuals with the hyperactive-impulsive subtype. This
study involves 23 males, ages 9-11. The effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) on the EEG during baseline and cognitive tasks were evaluated using spectral analysis.
Both subjective (rating scales) and objective measures (continuous
performance, TOVA) measures were administered and analyzed in conjunction with electrophysiological data. Although Ritalin induced regional
changes in the EEG under certain task specific conditions, it had no global effects. Behavioral and performance measures were improved with methylphenidate. This initial study was published in Pediatric Neurology, Vol. 18, 1998.
In a subsequent study employing the same individuals additional measures were obtained including measures of coherence,
phase, and asymmetry involving 19 channels of quantitative EEG. The effects of methylphenidate were essentially to reduce somewhat the impact of abnormalities in phase, but again, produced no overall clear change in these quantitative EEG measures. In contrast, cases will be presented which show that neurofeedback does change frequency, phase, coherence, and asymmetry measures in individuals and that treating specific locations generalizes to many locations in the scalp and furthermore that the effects are very long term in terms of positive changes in behavioral measures, rating scales, and continuous performance measures. The general conclusion of the presentation will be that neurofeedback is a powerful technique that unlike medication does not lead to temporary but long term changes and often results in reduced reliance on medication as well.