With the infusion of an additional $1 million of financial support from The Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center researchers are expanding their studies using a noninvasive, drugless therapy that may help to mitigate symptoms associated with a list of neurological conditions.
High-resolution, relational, resonance-based, electroencephalic mirroring (HIRREMTM) or, as it's commercially known, Brainwave Optimization™(a product created by Brain State Technologies, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ), is a noninvasive procedure that uses a computerized system designed to reflect the brain's frequencies back to itself using musical tones. Resonance between the musical tones and the electrical circuits in a person's brain can bring balance to the two hemispheres of the brain and has shown reduced symptoms in a recent pilot study of people with insomnia.
Previous seed funding from The Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation, Inc., in 2011 and 2012, $729,000, supported the creation of the research program at Wake Forest Baptist directed by Lead Investigator Charles H. Tegeler, M.D., McKinney-Avant Professor of Neurology, Director of Telestroke Services, and Director of the Ward A. Riley Ultrasound Center, and his team. This new funding allows further study of HIRREM targeting four conditions, in specific populations. These projects will focus on use with the Military for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Insomnia, and Depression, as well as studies of TBI in professional, college, and teenage athletes, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Asperger Syndrome, in people ages 12 and older.
"At a time when funding for research is very hard to find, the previous support from The Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation, Inc., made possible the creation of this research program and allowed us to complete several pilot clinical studies," said Tegeler. "We are eager to continue our efforts to scientifically evaluate the potential benefits of HIRREM as a safe, effective, noninvasive, non-drug therapy in conditions where such are lacking. It is with deep gratitude to Susanne Collins that we accept this generous additional funding which will not only allow continuation of this important research, but expansion of the program to include many other patient groups for whom there is also great need. Asperger Syndrome was just added to the list of projects due to the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School."
The $1 million dollars of continued funding from The Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation, Inc., also allows Tegeler to complete a placebo-controlled study for Insomnia, and to expand current studies with the Military. Tegeler's team has also applied for additional funding through the Office of the Secretary of Defense for a study with active duty Military personnel.
*Editor's Note: Methods paper published in the journal, Brain and Behavior this month (14 JAN 2013, DOI: 10.1002/brb3.116).
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