E- Brain for you
Neurotherapy with electrical brain stimulation for improved emotion regulation in adolescents with mental disorders
Attempts to get better control of one's feelings are probably as old as humanity. Changing one's own feelings in the desired direction not only improves one's own well-being and quality of life, it is also related to the manifestation and extent of various psychological problems. Successful regulation of emotions can have positive effects on aggressive behaviour, but also on the occurrence of anxiety- or depressive disorders. In our study we want to support the impressive ability of the brain to control our emotions with additional e-Power. By means of electrical stimulation of the brain via electrodes on the forehead, precisely those areas of the brain can be activated that can help us to better control feelings. The method of brain stimulation has already shown good success in the treatment of adults with depressive disorders and is extremely popular due to its simple procedure and the short duration of treatment.
In the current study by Dr. Konicar and the ABC BRAIN LAB 108 adolescents with depressive, aggressive or anxious disorders will be included, who want to learn to better control their emotions and increase their wellbeing. During the two-week treatment, an animation film is shown, while the activity of the brain is increased, similar to that of an e-bike when traveling uphill. Before and after brain stimulation, changes on different levels are recorded using questionnaires, magnetic resonance imaging and computer tests.
The results of this project can pave the road for a new, transdiagnostical treatment method that is biologically based, non-invasive and non-pharmacological, and could further refine conventional treatment approaches for adolescents with mental disorders.
The study is funded by FWF Austrian Science Fond.
Titel: “Brainstimulation emotion regulation in adolescents with psychiatric disorders: A clinical-transdiagnostical, randomized, TrIPLE-blind and sham-controlled neurotherapeutical trial"
Duration: 2021-2025
PI: MMag.a Dr.in Lilian Konicar
Volitional Modification of Brain Activity in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder : A Slow Cortical Potential Neurofeedback Study
The study is funded by FWF Austrian Science Fond.
Titel: “Volitional Modification of Brain Activity in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder : A Slow Cortical Potential Neurofeedback Study”
Duration: 2017-2020
PI: MMag.a Dr.in Lilian Konicar