independent.ie
by John von Radowitz
9 Nov 11
EARLY symptoms of Parkinson's disease may be improved by teaching patients to regulate their brains, a study suggests.
Scientists allowed a small group of five patients to monitor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of their own brain activity as they carried out a finger-tapping task.
After a time they learned to alter activity in specific parts of the brain affected by Parkinson's.
Similar biofeedback techniques have previously been used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and combat chronic pain.
Study leader Professor David Linden, from the University of Cardiff, said: "This is the first time that this neurofeedback technique has been used with patients with Parkinson's disease.
"Self-regulation of brain activity in humans based on real-time feedback is emerging as a powerful technique. In this study we assessed whether patients with Parkinson's disease are able to alter their brain activity to improve their motor function.
"We found that the five patients who received neurofeedback were able to increase activity in brain networks important for movements and that this intervention resulted in an overall improvement in motor speed - in this case, finger tapping."
The findings are reported today in The Journal of Neuroscience….
http://www.independent.ie/health/hea...h-2929473.html
