Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus and method for biofeedback of human central nervous system activity using radiation detection. This invention uses radiation from the brain resulting either from an ingested or injected radioactive material or radio frequency excitation or light from an external source impinging on the brain. The radiation is measured by suitable means and is made available to the subject on which the measurement is being made for his voluntary control. The measurement may be metabolic products of brain activity or some quality of the blood, such as its oxygen content. One such system utilizes red and infrared light to illuminate the brain through the translucent skull and scalp. Absorption and scattering of incident radiation depends on the degree of oxygen saturation of the blood in the illuminated tissue. The relationship of the returned scattered and absorbed light intensities can be obtained and displayed via a suitable display of sound, graphics or both so that a human being included in the feedback system can attempt to vary the display and thereby control the actual brain blood oxygenation at will. Control of brain blood perfusion is so quickly mastered that most subjects require less than 5 minutes to gain control.

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First Claim