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)http://vimeo.com/45933794

Biofeedback (Blood-flow monitoring)

Hemoencephalographic (HEG)biocompresearch.com

Biofeedback (EEG monitoring a.k.a Neurofeedback)

Tan Le (First 7:40)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVhggGSjXVg

Neurofeedback systems

B-Alert (b-alert.com)Mimic experts http://advancedbrainmonitoring.com/ted-talk-a-window-on-the-brain-chris-berka

Neurofeedback

What is Neurofeedback?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxHR7InSQ1c

Autism and neurofeedback (First 1:30, 3:30-5:30)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiHFI36wmzo

Active modification

• Using computer-controlled external signals to modify brain activity– Audio– Electrical– Magnetic

Audio: Binaural BeatsFor example, if a frequency of 100 Hz is played in one ear and 107 Hz is played in the other ear, a binauralbeat of 7 Hz is created by the brain.Brain waves match or “follow” the binaural beat. Ifthe binaural beat is 7 Hz, an increase in brain waves of 7Hz 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