Brookside Institute :: A Unique Approach to Treating Depression

Brookside Institute's Depression Level of Care

Brookside Institute is spearheading a new era of depression treatment programs with a protocol that includes breakthroughs in neuroscience (study of the brain). Brookside Institute is unique in its integrated approach, combining multiple disciplines and treatments based on individual needs, to maximize the overall success of a comprehensive protocol. Currently, our protocol is an outpatient program and you must be able to travel regularly to or temporarily reside near our location in Newport Beach, California to participate in treatment. The program is designed to allow you to continue with normal activities such as work or school during your treatment.

Comprehensive Assessment

Brookside Institute works closely with you to provide a specialized, science-based treatment program for depression that begins with a physical examination, psychiatric assessment and bio-psychosocial assessment. Your treatment team, including your physician at Brookside Institute, will create a customized treatment program based on your individualized needs, medical and psychological history.

EEG & REEG

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is the neurophysiological measurement of the electrical activity of the brain by recording from electrodes placed on the scalp. The resulting traces are known as an EEG and represent an electrical signal from a large number of neurons or "brainwaves". EEG is a standard procedure available in most hospitals and clinics around the world. The EEG is a measure of brain function, or physiology, rather than a measure of brain structure, or anatomy, like the MRI scan.

Advancement in computer science and statistical modeling has greatly improved upon the traditional EEG allowing neuroscientists to categorize the digital signature of individual brainwaves in order to identify common patterns and deviations that can be linked to specific disorders. By using this quantitative EEG (qEEG), treatment professionals have actual biological indicators to diagnose and treat behavioral and mental disorders. Relying on a patient’s symptoms alone may lead to misdiagnosis and/or ineffective medications and treatments.

The emergence of the referenced electroencephalogram (rEEG) provides psychiatrists with a unique method of defining patients’ medication needs.

Referenced-EEG (rEEG) is a patented, proprietary technology that utilizes the EEG in conjunction with a database to identify abnormal patient physiology. Appropriate medications are then selected to normalize discovered abnormalities. Simply put, the patient’s brain shows the trained psychiatrist what medications will work best to treat the individual disorders.

With this invaluable tool, much of the guesswork for medication and dosage can be avoided. This means that the patient can be prescribed the correct treatment regimen rather than trying several different medications and dosages before the symptoms of the disorders are relieved.

By using rEEG to measure electrical activity of the brain, medications can be selected which affect neurophysiology in known ways. When appropriately medicated, abnormal brain function can be normalized.

*rEEG requires the patient to be off of medication for a period of time, depending on the type of medication he or she is currently taking. In some cases, it may not be feasible for the patient to go off of certain medications and so rEEG may not be appropriate for all individuals.

Neurofeedback

Research has shown that specific types of electroencephalogram (EEG) characteristics are frequently associated with certain behavioral disorders, such as depression. These EEG characteristics can be used to gain objective, evidence based insight into what is actually happening inside the brain and create measurable, scientific solutions which help re-train the brain to reach its full potential.

Neurofeedback is a non-medication method of improving specific brain processing issues that uses electrogram EEG based biofeedback that corrects and enhances brain-processing skills.

The neurofeedback procedure at Brookside Institute begins by assessing the brain activity, using EEG recorded brainwaves, or brain signals, as it relates to abilities to learn, concentrate, control emotions and much more. These measurements are then summarized into a custom profile. This comprehensive analysis is used as a guide to re-train these specific areas of the brain using exercises that target the specifically identified brain areas that are compromised.

These advanced "brain exercises and activities" have been adapted into various modalities, such as computer-based neurotherapy, neurofeedback, cognitive development and acceleration, memory enhancements, relaxation techniques, stress management, and more. During these sessions, brain activity is constantly monitored to study, fine-tune and encourage progress every step of the way.

MERT, An advanced form of TMS

Magno-EEG Resonant Therapy (MERT) is an innovative treatment procedure using a noninvasive electromagnetic resonant process to tune up or down specific brainwaves. This is an advanced process of the traditional Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) that is unique to Brookside Institute’s NeuroScience Center. Unlike TMS, MERT is precisely calculated based on the individual’s electroencephalogram (EEG) to deliver the perfect combination of electromagnetic resonance to bring the brainwave back into balance.

The MERT process begins with a baseline EEG recording to characterize the patient’s individual brainwave signature. The signature is then used to determine the MERT treatment settings to bring the brainwaves back into normal patterns.

MERT targets the alpha EEG activity. This unique alpha brainwave has been found to be highly associated with brain metabolism, cognitive functions and various types of disorders.
Clinical trials have shown that the direct adjustment of the physical characteristics via MERT has clinical efficacy in many psychiatric illnesses including depression.

In the past few years, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or "electric shock therapy" has made a surprising comeback. More psychiatrists are looking at ECT for severely depressed patients who are not responding to medication. However, ECT is a procedure that many have described as "gruesome". ECT induces a clonic seizure (a seizure where the person loses consciousness and has convulsions) lasting for at least 15 seconds. It also has severe common side-effects including memory loss, confusion and cognitive problems.
Brookside Institute does not use ECT. Our proprietary procedure, MERT, is a non-invasive, relatively painless procedure that is able to normalize a person’s brainwave without the electrical voltage used in ECT.

For more information on MERT and TMS, read our FAQ >>

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Advances in neuroscience and medicine aid in the treatment of depression; when combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), outcomes are highly successful. CBT teaches you how to identify and alter destructive thought patterns and behaviors. It helps you discover and identify different ways of behaving, coping and re-framing formerly overwhelming issues. It is important to understand that the lifestyles and habits attached to depressive illnesses may require major changes in your thought processes as well as behavior.

Adjunctive Therapy

At Brookside Institute, we introduce you to a wide range of adjunctive therapies, such as relaxation, nutrition, fitness, meditation and communication, techniques you can use throughout a lifetime.

If you are looking for serious treatment for your depression, please give us a call (866) 405-8787.