Better than sleep: Theta neurofeedback training accelerates memory consolidation

Miriam Reinera,∗, Roman Rozengurtb, Anat Barneac

a The Virtual Reality and NeuroCognition Lab, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Israel b Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Israel
c Bio Keshev – Private Practice for Neurofeedback, Givat Chaim Ichud 38935, Israel

Received 5 November 2012 Accepted 29 October 2013 Available online 7 November 2013

abstract

Consistent empirical results showed that both night and day sleep enhanced memory consolidation. In this study we explore processes of consolidation of memory during awake hours. Since theta oscillations have been shown to play a central role in exchange of information, we hypothesized that elevated theta during awake hours will enhance memory consolidation.

We used a neurofeedback protocol, to enhance the relative power of theta or beta oscillations. Participants trained on a tapping task, were divided into three groups: neurofeedback theta; neurofeedback beta; control. We found a significant improvement in performance in the theta group, relative to the beta and control groups, immediately after neurofeedback. Performance was further improved after night sleep in all groups, with a significant advantage favoring the theta group. Theta power during training was correlated with the level of improvement, indicating a clear relationship between memory consolidation, and theta neurofeedback.

© 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 

Effect of beta and gamma neurofeedback on memory and intelligence in the elderly

S.M. Staufenbiela,b,∗, A.-M. Brouwerb, A.W. Keizerc, N.C. van Wouwed

a Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
b TNO Behavioral and Societal Sciences, Soesterberg, The Netherlands
c Neurofeedback Instituut Nederland, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
d Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, United States

abstract

Recent research showed a correlation between cognitive decline and a decrease of EEG gamma activity. In the present double-blind randomized control study, we investigated whether gamma and beta neurofeedback protocols, that have been shown to modulate performance on cognitive control and memory in young adults, also leads to increased brain activity and cognitive performance in elderly. Twenty older adults either performed eight 30-min gamma neurofeedback session or beta neurofeedback session within a period of 21 days. Cognitive performance was determined before and after the training through an IQ and memory task and we added a subjective well-being questionnaire. Both neurofeedback training protocols resulted in a significant increase of the brain activity within each training session, suggesting that the aging brain is still trainable. However, we found no effects on cognitive performance or transfer of the feedback beyond the trainings. We discuss several possible reasons for the lack of training on rest measurements and cognition and ways to improve the feedback protocols for future studies.