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HOW CAN WE
EVALUATE THE BRAIN?
Facts:
Eli Lilly has the only drug with FDA approval to
treat adults with ADD (Strattera). Lilly has aimed
an ADD education campaign at internists and family
physicians, who often know little about diagnosing
and treating ADD. General practitioners who often
have minutes with patients will misdiagnose ADD.
Answering positively on a Web-based quiz or survey
from a doctor doesn’t mean you have ADD, it suggests
you might. Here are some examples of
questions on a web-based quiz (yes answer suggests
having a problem):
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I can't seem to get started on school
assignments until the last minute.
-
My room is very messy.
-
I can't seem to get started on school
assignments until the last minute.
-
Even when I try to listen in class my thoughts
start wandering.
Certainly any child might answer yes to questions
like these!
We use
objective tests to determine the real cause of
the problem...
Neurological Examination
It is imperative to perform a meticulous history and
neurological evaluation to determine the function of
the nervous system in each individual. Tests
performed in the Connecticut Chiropractic Neurology
Center include neurophysical examination,
computerized blindspot analysis, brain mapping,
computerized videonystagmography (VNG), and
radiography. It is through this test battery that we
are able to define the brain asymmetry and
processing deficits.
Neurophysical Examination 
Neurophysical examination assesses and compares
certain functions of the brain from one side to the
other. Blood pressure, sweat, heart rate,
respiratory rate, pupil size, muscle tone, eye
movements, coordination, reflexes, sound
localization, taste, smell, memory, etc. are all
parameters that define brain asymmetry.
Computerized Blindspot Analysis
Blindspot analysis reveals asymmetries in the way
your brain sees your world. Because the brain relies
heavily on vision, it is a must to compare what each
brain sees.
 Videonystagmography
Videonystagmography uses an infrared camera system
that records eye movements during specific testing
procedures. Because the eyes are a reflection of
brain function, information provided by these tests
aids in the discovery of the brain asymmetry.
Electronystagmography
 This
technology involves a highly specialized infrared
camera system that records the movements of the eyes
during Optokinetic, Vestibuloocular, and Fixation
testing.
Eye Testing
 Vestibuloocular
tests are specific for the cerebellum and the
complex control of balance. Most children with
ADD/ADHD have difficulty staying “fixed” on a theme
resulting in a lack of concentration and attention.
Fixation tests assess whether an individual can lock
his or her eyes onto a target that is moving with
them while they are in spin. Patients who cannot
fixate commonly express decreased function of the
frontal lobe and decreased attention span.
Optokinetic tests provides an assessment of multiple
systems at once including the parietal lobe, the
frontal lobe and the cerebellum.
Interactive Metronome
The Interactive Metronome is a state-of-the-art
computer generated program that utilizes sounds to
improve the timing and sequencing of brain impulses.
It is also used to evaluate the processing speed of
the cerebellum and cortex.
 When
a child demonstrates a deficit in motor planning and
sequencing, it is typically accompanied by problems
in learning, coordination, or behavioral control.
Prior to the development of Interactive Metronome,
there was no system for measurable assessment and
improvement.
Today we know how
to measure a child’s motor planning and sequencing
abilities, and we can show measurable improvement in
a short period of time.
Continue to next
section: Treatment |
