ISNR Research Awards for 2006

The research committee of the International Society for Neurotherapy and Research awarded two grants for 2006.

1- Joe Horvat, PhD and Jonathan Walker, MD will receive $20,000 for a multi-site study of TBI and EEG biofeedback. This study will also rely on substantial donations of equipment by Thought Technology. The study aims to estimate the efficacy of neurofeedback (NFB) to ameliorate neurocognitive symptoms in patients with traumatic brain injury. The primary outcome is total symptom score, measured on the neuropsychological symptom survey, the Iva, a patient constructed Primary Concern Scale and the Microcog. The authors hypothesize that patients assigned to NFB will exhibit significantly lower symptom scores as compared to patients receiving only standard care groups. The study will also examine changes in QEEG maps of patients treated with NFB for traumatic brain injury.

2- Graduate Student, Andrew Hill of the UCLA, Psychology Department will receive a $5000 grant for his proposal "EEG Biofeedback Training of Lateralized Networks of Attention: What Actually Happens During EEGBF?" Proposal supervision will be by by Dr. Eran Zaidel, PhD and Dr. Jack Johnstone, PhD. The proposed research aims to vigorously assess EEG Biofeedback techniques in clinical use by combining assessment of ERP and spectral EEG with a new behavioral test of lateralized attention. This is especially important as clinical EEGBF practices differ widely regarding choice of left, right, and interhemispheric training.

Four other research proposals were considered for funding, and in all cases prospective investigators received valuable feedback from the research committee members and were encouraged to consider resubmission for the 2007 cycle.

The ISNR Research Fund invites proposals for funded research in neurotherapy of up to $20,000 per year renewable for up to five years. Special consideration is given to proposals that involve large n multi center studies for randomized controlled trials of a neurotherapy technique for remediation of MTBI, ADHD, PSUD or other conditions for which neurotherapy has been applied. The proposal may include the means for establishing a neurotherapy practice research network in order to complete its objectives. Fundable elements of the proposal may include monetary incentives for practitioners and client participants and salary for the Principal Investigator, who will be project coordinator.

Continued funding year to year will be contingent on project performance and the success of ISNR in continuing fundraising. If the successful applicant is not a member of ISNR, the applicant will agree to accept complementary membership for the duration of the grant.

A call for 2007 research funding proposals has been announced with a deadline of January 1, 2007. Successful proposals will be announced early in 2007. Ongoing generous support of individuals and corporations has made it possible for the ISNR Research Fund to continue funding support of vital research projects. Applicants are advised to use the Submittal Form for Research Proposals following the published.

Guidelines for Research Proposals at this web site. If there are questions, contact David L. Trudeau, MD, research committee chair at trude003@tc.umn.edu.base