Dr. Emory's Brain 1st^TM method utilizes a person's physical findings, EEG brainwave pattern and QEEG measures to individualize treatment. In addition, Dr. Emory also employs Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA)*, a functional brain imaging technology, to show patients how their brain activity is changing with treatment. A digitized Talairach Atlas is displayed allowing Dr. Emory to analyze brain activity before and with treatment. When these technical measures are added to each patient's physical findings and mental status, Dr. Emory has a comprehensive data set for making a logical inference about treatment that will help each person achieve brain-body balance, the prerequisite for achieving and maintaining physical health and mental wellbeing. Since LORETA provides a color-coded, 3-D model of brain activity, it is easier for patients to understand how their treatment is progressing.

Baseline - Young female with chronic disordered eating and uncontrolled Type I diabetes, chronically depressed, multiple unsuccessful medical and psychotherapeutic treatments. Past trials of medications recommended for eating disorders (SSRIs) were ineffective. Her cognitive abilities were deficient for age and education. She had a low voltage EEG, and her QEEG indicated a likely response to a mono-amine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).

With the Brain1st^TM Approach - Type I diabetes stabilized with less insulin, the eating, mood, insomnia and other symptoms resolved. Patient has achieved brain-body balance/homeostasis and become socially and occupationally successful.

Baseline - Young male with chronic opiate abuse who had failed multiple outpatient and inpatient treatments. Physical exam showed a persistent fast pulse rate and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). Mental/cognitive exam showed an anxious male with visual sequencing defects and difficulty with simple mathematics. EEG was moderately slow and non-specifically abnormal. Baseline QEEG data showed that more than one medication would be necessary to achieve brain-body balance. His other DSM syndrome included attention deficit disorder (ADD).

The Brain1st^TM Approach - Three medications were required to achieve brain-body balance: the first to normalize his fast pulse rate, one to stabilize his mood and one to reverse the slowing in his EEG. The narcotic craving ceased, he became mentally stable and able to maintain long-term sobriety. With access to his normal cognitive potential, he has successfully completed several years of college with academic distinction.

Baseline - Pre-teen male with academic underachievement since second grade. Clinical diagnosis by other doctors was attention deficit disorder (ADD). Past medication trials with "stimulants" had caused insomnia and were intolerable. Parents sought an objective medical approach. Physical exam was normal. Cognitive exam was abnormal: He was unable to manipulate numbers without paper and faulty subtraction.

The Brain1st^TM Approach - EEG/QEEG data showed excessive alpha and theta activities, indicating that two medications were required to achieve brain-body balance. The first improved attention by reducing anxiety, and the second sustained concentration. The outcome is that his academic achievement greatly improved from less to better than average without adverse effects.

Baseline - Latency age female; since infancy repetitive pulling of navel, nipples, cuticles and hair. Clinical diagnosis by other doctors was "trichotillomania." She became worse at age 3, had psychotherapy, insomnia, sleepwalking and excessive worrying. Shame based behavioral modification was ineffective. Parents sought treatment and requested naturopathy. Physical and cognitive exams normal.

Brain1st^TM Approach - EEG abnormal: High-voltage posterior slowing. Amino acid (L-tyrosine) achieved brain-body balance. Outcome: Mutilating behavior, insomnia, sleepwalking and worrying resolved.

Baseline - Adult female with chronic severe cluster headaches and insomnia. Elevated blood pressure. Cognitive and mental status normal. EEG: Low voltage, fast beta activity considered normal.

Brain1st^TM Approach - MAOI anti-depressant (Selegiline) improved symptoms for two years and was discontinued; another MAOI (Tranylcypromine) normalized blood pressure, sleep and eliminated headaches.

Baseline - 6 year old male with chronic insomnia, snoring, body twitching, anxiety, reflux/gagging, worrier and inferiority. Endoscopy, barium studies negative. Awakened multiple times per night. Cognitive exam was normal. EEG, much eye movement and muscle artifacts. QEEG, theta excess.

Brain1st^TM Approach - Able to discontinue acid reflux medication. 2000 mg D/L-Phenylanine, 1000 mg L-Tyrosine. Symptoms resolved, sleeps through night, academic and social abilities improved.

Baseline - Young adult male with childhood onset of depressed moods, school underachievement, anger, avoidant behaviors, difficulty sleeping, obsessive thinking and multiple physical complaints. Hospitalized due to extreme anxiety and worry, he was prescribed antipsychotic and antidepressant medications and developed diabetes. Initial consultation BP was 100/50 (normal). Pulse 102 beats per minute. Unable to do simple subtraction without paper. Physiologic anxiety disorder second to fast pulse rate.

Brain1st^TM Approach - An adrenaline down regulator normalized the pulse within two hours. Antipsychotic and antidepressant medications were eliminated and his need for insulin decreased. One year and 9 months from initial consultation, his pulse and blood pressure remained stable, was markedly improved, working and leading a productive life.

Prior Treatment/Detoxification/Baseline - College aged male with no family history of mental illness. Onset of anxious and dysphoric moods in high school, coped using drugs and alcohol. Symptoms worsened in college, was prescribed antidepressant and anti-psychotic medications without benefit. Unresponsive to numerous medications, suggested for "bipolar disorder," his parents sought a different approach. Cognitive exam showed he could not subtract numbers without paper, and his immediate memory was impaired.

Brain1st^TM Approach - His core problem was inattention. Since his visual EEG and QEEG were abnormally slow, he was prescribed an amphetamine to up-regulate dopamine and nor-adrenaline. An amphetamine is considered contraindicated by current psychiatric guidelines; however, he has developed into a physically and mentally stabile adult who is resuming an education.

Initial Consult - A latency age male with insomnia and restless leg syndrome (RLS) was failing all subjects in a learning disabled class. His physical exam showed delayed fine motor coordination, hypoactive reflexes, deficient forward/reverse digit span, inability to subtract and faulty memory.

Brain1st^TM Approach - Sleep and academic abilities normalized with two medications; one that increased brain adrenaline and nor-adrenaline and reduced these compounds in the body and a second agent that increased dopamine and nor-adrenaline in the brain and body. He became more alert, his cognition improved to within normal limits and he was excelling in his learning disabled class.

 

*Pascual-Marqui R, Michel C, Lehmann D. Low resolution electromagnetic tomography: a new method for localizing electrical activity in the brain. Int J Psychophysiol. 1994;18:49-65.

Talairach J. Co-planar Stereotaxic Atlas of the Human Brain. New York, NY: Thieme Medical; 1988.