Short and Long-Term AVS (Audio-Visual Stimulation) Effects in an Alzheimer’s Patient as Documented by QEEG and LORETA

Thomas Budzynski, Ph.D. and Leslie Sherlin, B.A.

Introduction: Audio-Visual Stimulation (AVS) can induce a frequency-following response in the EEG as measured on the scalp (Budzynski, et al. (1999), but can AVS produce changes in the subcortical areas of the brain of an Alzheimer’s patient? The new technique known as LORETA (Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography) was used to determine deeper structure involvement and to compare that with QEEG results from the surface. Follow-up QEEGs and LORETA analyses will determine if a training program of 30 AVS sessions plus intermittent home use results in extended effects over a longer period. Method: A baseline QEEG (eyes open, eyes closed and serial sevens challenge) was followed by 20 minutes of AVS (a pseudorandom protocol with a frequency range of 9 to 22 Hz) during which a second eyes closed QEEG was taken. This was followed by a third QEEG right after stimulation and then a fourth after 15 minutes of rest following termination of the AVS. A final AVS was taken after the patient completed 30 sessions of daily use of the 20 minute AVS protocol over a six-week period. Two follow-up QEEGs were performed in the year following the 30 day training.
Results: The analyses included QEEG spectral investigation as well as LORETA analysis. Considerable agreement was found between the QEEG spectral values and LORETA density values in deeper structures. For example, the QEEG spectral analysis showed the AVS stimulation decreased delta at T3 during stimulation and 15 minutes afterward and then after the 30 session training some 12 weeks later. The LORETA showed a decrease in delta in the left temporal, Brodmann Area 42 and in the superior temporal gyrus temporal lobe after the AVS and then after the 30 session training. Results from the follow-up QEEGs and the LORETAs derived from them will be discussed.

Conclusion The AVS appears to produce improvement in the current density of various brain regions that are involved in Alzheimer’s Disease progression. The results appear as early as the first AVS stimulation period and last through the continuation of the 30 session training period with no or minimal decrease in results. The QEEG results generally agree with the LORETA but, of course, do not delineate the deeper structure condition. The results of the follow-ups will help determine if the AVS effects hold up even as the Alzheimer’s progression occurs.

References

Budzynski, T., Jordy, J., Budzynski, H., Tang, H., & Claypoole, K. (1999). Academic performance enhancement with photic stimulation and EDR feedback. Journal of Neurotherapy, 3, 11-21.
Nova Tech EEG, Inc. Knoxville, TN (provided the programs to generate LORETA figures and images).