Posted by Lorraine on February 13, 2001, at 19:54:22
In reply to Alpha activity and whether to use stimulants, posted by PhoenixGirl on February 13, 2001, at 18:16:57
A QEEG is a Quantitative EEG that measures your brain waves. My pdoc does a QEEG and then runs a co-variance analysis comparing your scores to those of 7000 other people to determine what meds are right for you. In my case, my QEEG showed that I have abnormal brain patterns (evidencing mental illness :-) and low alpha waves and some spikes in my beta. My pdoc says that the low alpha waves are why SSRI's have not worked on me--they lower your alpha waves--and my beta spikes are why I move toward panic and anxiety attacks when you try to crank things up by giving me puppy uppers--like Moclobemide (yes, I know it's an MAO, but it is activating as well), or Selegeline or even (gosh darn it) those pesky natural enzymes like l-tyrosine. The QEEG technique is supposed to be cutting edge. The University hospitals are using them. At the end of the day, though it may point you in a direction you still have to find the right "match" in terms of drug choice.
Hope this answers your questions.
poster:Lorraine
thread:53913
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010212/msgs/53918.html