A QEEG brain map (or 'Q' for short) enables us to see your unique pattern of mental strengths and weaknesses - areas of the brain where there is too little or too much activity, and areas that are not coordinating their activity the best they could.

Once we can see the reason for your struggles on a brain level, we can create a neurofeedback training programme to help resolve it.

We use QEEGs both for our initial assessment and to track your progress over your neurofeedback sessions. It involves nothing more than wearing a sensor cap so we can listen to what your brain is doing.

Originally designed for brain research, we use QEEG LoRETA Z-Score Neurometric Brain Mapping. It is a mouthful that describes itself.

QEEG LoRETA Z-Score Neurometric Brain Mapping

EEG (electroencephalograph)

Common brain imaging techniqes such as MRIs, CAT scans and x-rays are built to measure brain structure. An EEG measures brain activity.

An EEG uses surface sensors to detect the brain’s electrical patterns (known as brainwaves). It is these electrical patterns, the brain's activity, that is important to us. An EEG tells us what your brain is doing, moment to moment.

Getting an EEG is non-invasive and painless. Much like a heart monitor which only records your heart rate, the sensors only record the electrical activity of the brain; it is not invasive in any way.

QEEG (Quantitative electroencephalograph)

The QEEG brain map neurometric readings give us vital information to help identify areas of over or under-activity to train, and to precisely chart your progress.

By seeing which areas have abnormal activity, we can predict what type of symptoms you may be experiencing as a result. For example, if specific brain areas involved in attention are functioning poorly and you have difficulty paying attention, we know exactly where to train to help you regulate more efficiently.

A QEEG can identify not only brainwaves, their amplitude, location and whether these patterns are typical or anomalous, but also coherence (quality of communication between regions), and phase (thinking speed). These are all crucial patterns involved in optimal mental functioning.

LoRETA (low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography)

Using the same equipment approved for academic research, LoRETA allows us to identify (and ultimately train) brainwave patterns from deep brain structures, using a standard sensor cap with advanced source-correlation software.

Being able, for the first time, to both identify and train these deeper structures in the brain is a major leap forward in brain mapping, and is what enables 3D neurofeedback. The ability to train entire brain networks as a unit significantly reduces the number of sessions required to see results.

Z-Score Neurometrics

We compare these surface and deep brainwave readings to a research reference database, called a Z-score (Neuroguide, FDA research standard). Your clinician will use this information as an aid to determine which areas to train in order to best meet your goals.

And that is QEEG LoRETA Z-Score Neurometric Brain Mapping.

Is Brain Mapping reliable?

Brain mapping was introduced more than 30 years ago as a means to measure and diagnose brain function. It has become a primary tool in neuroscience. QEEGs are used in research centres all over the world to study ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, depression and bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorders, learning disabilities, and emotional conditions of every sort.