EEG operant conditioning in a monkey model: I. Seizure data.
EEG operant conditioning in an alumina-gel monkey model (N = 14) to decrease EMG, to increase 9 Hz or decrease 9 Hz, and to increase 23 Hz (18 Hz and 26 Hz in 2 pilot monkeys), respectively, was not consistently beneficial in reducing seizures. The data suggested: (1) that desynchronization of the EEG by reinforcing 18-26 Hz decreased in some animals the extent and severity of seizures while increasing seizure frequency; (2) that attending during conditioned EMG suppression reduced seizures somewhat; and (3) that the operant conditioning setting became stressful to the majority of monkeys under certain conditions, precipitating status epilepticus, gastrointestinal disturbances, and shock, which culminated in the death of 3 animals. Certain precautions are discussed in the therapeutic application of this technique to epileptic patients.
D000818:Animals; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D003344:Cortical Synchronization; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004569:Electroencephalography; D000882:Haplorhini; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D012640:Seizures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000209:etiology