3 Real Life Examples of Brain Plasticity – Brain plasticity, also known as neuroplasticity, is the brain’s ability to change and grow over time in response to its environment. Changes can happen either fast or slow, and they can be positive or negative. The following examples show how Brain Training relies on neuroplasticity to benefit people who need to make positive changes. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!
3 Real Life Examples of Recovering from Brain Trauma
BL’s brain sustained a shock wave injury from an explosive device (IED) blast while serving our country in the Middle East. He later sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) when a car struck him. These traumas caused BL to have severe cognitive and behavioral dysfunction, most notably anger and rage issues. These issues were significantly impairing his ability to re-integrate into society and his professional civilian career. He also suffered from a condition called dysautonomia as a direct result of his head injuries. This condition forced him to consume an extraordinary amount of calories every day (nearly 10 thousand) just to maintain his weight. Through a course of Intensive Brain Training, supported with home care and nutritional therapies, BL is now gainfully employed as a licensed professional and working his way up the ladder. His rage is in check and no longer gets him into dangerous situations. He is also able to eat a typical diet (no more than 3500 calories per day) without losing an unhealthy amount of weight.
ADD, ADHD, OCD and Brain Plasticity
PJ is a young man who has struggled with learning and behavioral challenges his entire life. Drug and alcohol abuse compounded his problems and prematurely side-tracked him from a productive life. He quit high school just prior to graduation and found himself unable to take high school equivalency (GED) examinations. Instead of working or going to school, he spent his time in drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. During PJ’s Brain Training Program with APEX, he achieved pre-test scores that allowed him to proceed with taking all parts of his GED testing and he achieved high passing grades in all subjects. He has since enrolled in our local community college and is well on his way to a productive life. His brain is now capable of focusing and attending to life’s challenges! For others facing similar struggles, learning and behavior support services can provide the tools and strategies needed to overcome obstacles and thrive.
Enhancing Cognitive Performance
BA is a young woman who suffered years of neglect and abuse as a young child. The abuse led to cognitive dysfunction and learning disabilities that prevented her from learning to read. BA’s developmental disabilities have caused her, as well as her adoptive family, much emotional turmoil. Her inability to ‘think things through’ led to more destructive behaviors, including illegal actions. Less than one week after a 5-day Intensive Brain Training Program, BA was able to pick up a book for the first time in nearly 5 years and read cover to cover with ease and full comprehension. That is something her brain would not allow her to do previously! Her cognitive testing scores increased, including improvements that exceeded 100%, most notably in the areas of memory and attention. Furthermore, she is now showing signs of remorse for the first time for many of her past wrongdoings. Although BA is far from full recovery, she is well on her way to regaining control of her life and becoming a productive, contributing member of her community – 3 Real Life Examples of Brain Plasticity!
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Author
DR. MICHAEL S. TRAYFORD
Dr. Michael S. Trayford is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and Neurofeedback Specialist with over 20 years of experience in the practice of advanced functional neurology. He is one of the most highly sought-after brain rehabilitation specialists because of the life-changing outcomes his patients consistently experience. After over a decade in private practice and working alongside other pioneers in the field, Dr. Trayford developed his multimodal intensive brain training and rehabilitation program built around the science of Neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to learn and grow dependent upon the stimulation it receives from its environment. He later founded APEX Brain Centers to combine his ground-breaking rehabilitation approach with a unique patient and caretaker-centered care model. Under Dr. Trayford’s leadership, APEX Brain Centers has successfully treated thousands of patients and earned the reputation of a world-renowned brain training and rehabilitation practice. Since its inception, Dr. Trayford has been a leader of the Brain Training revolution treating patients worldwide. In addition, he is a published journal contributor and international lecturer. His experience with various patients of all ages and neurological conditions has given him a unique perspective on brain health and human performance. He is also well-versed in collaborating with other health care professionals, making him an invaluable asset to any care team. Dr. Trayford was awarded the Functional Neurologist of the Year distinction by the International Association of Functional Neurology and Rehabilitation, where he is a proud member and conference lecturer. Currently, he serves on the Advisory Council for the Dementia Society of America and the Board of Directors for the International Society for Neuroregulation and Research. He is also a servant leader who has dedicated his adult life to serving multiple communities through Rotary International and other notable causes. When he’s not treating patients, Dr. Trayford usually reads or researches anything related to the brain, human performance, and leadership. He also loves spending time outdoors with his wife Denise, their two daughters, and dogs in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichaeltrayford/
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I mean in the case of patient bl, which neuroimaging techniques or tests used to see their improvement process? like Functional Magnetic Resonance, pneumoencephalogram.
What do you mean by BL?
Hi,
I have a question for BL case, which neuroimaging techniques or tests used to see their improvement process?
Please specify what you mean by BL case. Thank you.
Hey. I wanted to ask about something that doesn’t have to do with this specific thing. But it does involve mental stuff. I was wondering, how can you really know if you have a mental disorder? You can go to a million doctors and they can’t all just diagnose you with the same thing. Like if I went to the doctor and they diagnosed with depression but another with bipolar, how can you really know? It’s like you’re not knowing for sure what you have. And that’s scary to think. I have not gone to a psychiatrist but I plan to in the near future. But I have suspected that I have depression, ADD and short-term and long-term memory. These are just things that I’ve thought I have. But I’m afraid to go to a psyche and they give me the wrong diagnosis. So again, how can you really know if you have a mental disorder?
There are many criteria involved; most of which, unfortunately, are subjective (i.e. based on signs and symptoms – and response to certain meds). In short, there is no way to fully know if a mental/behavioral health diagnosis is truly accurate. Most of these diagnoses fall along a continuum, and this needs to be considered when one receives a diagnosis. Example: One has ADHD with compulsive behaviors – is it OCD or ADHD? Or both? Mental health is not an exact science and as with neurodegenerative disorders one needs to find a competent practitioner that can follow them over time to most accurately ascertain what the primary diagnoses are. These are not one exam, one time diagnosis issues. Also, at the end of the day, these are brain problems and a functional neurologist should be consulted along with the psychiatrist to appropriately assist in rehabilitation of brain connectivity, networking, etc. All the best to you.
what did pj have to go through?
what waas affected in the brain that caused bl disability?
how did all three patients recover ?
explain how did these patients survive and gain ability back?
what did pj have to go through?
He underwent a short-term intensive course of physical, cognitive and metabolic rehabilitation. Balance and vestibular rehabilitation, neurofeedback, eye movement therapies, metabolic and nutritional therapies, etc.
what waas affected in the brain that caused bl disability?
His entire brain was injured given it was a blast/shockwave type injury. His brainstem and autonomic nervous system were severely impacted.
how did all three patients recover ?
Hard work and proper neurological guidance.
explain how did these patients survive and gain ability back?
As they improved systems critical for engaging more effectively with their environment (i.e. visual, vestibular, sensory, etc.) they were able to learn, work, and live more efficiently and effectively.
Are you aware of treatment for PPPD? It’s a balance issue.
Yes, we are. Please call us at 828.708.5274 for free consultation with the doctor.
I am curious…Has there ever been a saliva or blood chemistry study to measure the hormones present in a person that commits murder or violent acts? Has there been a postmortem study of a deceased violent offender… for the same two tests for hormone levels ? Barring illicit drugs found in their system (which could alter their “Brain Plasticity”) is there a corresponding level of certain “hormones” at which a person becomes a murderer or a violent person?
If this were measurable, (Like an A1c) say for clinically depressed individuals, couldn’t a standard be established that could be used to identify (in advance)…those people most likely to commit a violent crime? I realize that all people can has a psychological breakdown but they don’t murder people. Start by testing all violent criminals in our prisons for their hormone levels and DNA. Compare them to normal levels and DNA. Test even the deceased criminal as soon as he or she is brought into the coroners lab. If we were able to establish a normal level Vs an aberrant level…we might be able to treat patients BEFORE they commit a crime
Trent:
While all fascinating to ponder and plausible from a theoretical standpoint; this is a bit out of our scope and unable to provide any significant comment. From a personal viewpoint, I don’t believe there is any single marker that will determine if someone will commit a crime. It is a compilation of history, genetics, physical and psychological trauma, metabolic status, environment, etc. Even with all these factored, it is a slippery slope trying to predict who may or may not commit a crime. Thanks for writing in!
Dr. T
Not once is there a place that gives you the exercises. What are they?
Hello John:
These were simply 3 brief stories about individuals that had positive outcomes with our intensive, in-office programming. There are far too many intervention strategies and activities these folks performed to get into in a short article such as this – these were complex cases. Dr. Trayford’s podcast covers 100s of brain-based activities one can do on their own to improve function. It can be found at http://www.TrainYourBrainPodcast.com. For more involved cases that require specific evaluation and intervention, we can only do this through in-office, hands-on approaches. You can certainly call the office at 828.708.5274 to discuss further if you like. Thank you.
On Monday 13 May 2019, my beloved sister (age 51), mother, daughter, wife and exceptional teacher suffered a severe stroke; she received two life saving procedures, and is currently in St George’s Hospital, Tooting. She remains currently unconscious (in a coma), with little response.
We have been advised that her brainstem has been severely injured.
Are you able to advise PLEASE as to the possibility of her receiving Brain plasticity?
I will be forever grateful and appreciative for a prompt response.
Many, many thanks
Kindest regards
Kay:
So sorry to hear of your sister’s situation. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this tough time. This would be better handled via phone consultation as far too much to consider in a brief email (you many call 828.708.5274 to do so as able). In general, when someone is in a comatose state from injury such as stroke; the brain is dedicating a tremendous amount of resources towards healing and neuroplasticity-based interventions at these times would be largely ineffective. Once stabilized, the brain can begin to receive various therapies to begin the functional recovery process; to whatever degree they be able to regain function.
Take care and please reach out as able!
My S.O. Has a TBI (post 15 yrs) and just recently became an SCI (spinal cord injury) patient.
Are you familiar with any cases of retraining the brain after SCI?
Marcella:
Yes, we are familiar with this. Even in traumatic or degenerative conditions, the brain has great capability to recuperate and change for the positive in most cases. Feel free to call us at 828.708.5274 for free consultation with the doctor. Take care.
My son was diagnosed with severe brain trauma they say he will be in this state for the rest of his life. I’m not going to let this happen please tell me what I can do .
Christina:
So sorry to hear about your son. Given the nature and sensitivity of the situation, best you call us to schedule a free consultation to discuss further. 828.708.5274 – we look forward to hearing from you soon.
What is BL, PJ, and BA?
They are the initials of the patients referenced in the post; for privacy purposes. Thank you!
What is BL, PJ and BA?
They are the initials of the patients referenced in the post; for privacy purposes. Thank you!