Can you fix your own neurologic problems without resorting to drugs? Science writer Jim Robbins suggests that some such conditions--like epilepsy, autism, and depression--could yield to a recently developed technique called neurofeedback. His book A Symphony in the Brain describes the process, its evolution from the 1970s fad of biofeedback, its practitioners, and some of its success stories. Using computers to quickly provide information on real-time EEG, practitioners train patients to control global or local brain states--or so the theory goes. Unfortunately for its proponents, there are still no rigorous research data showing conclusive results. Robbins makes a good case that the lack of research is due more to scientific turf battles and a drug-dependent medical establishment than to any fault of neurofeedback. Some of the case studies he explores, of children and adults brought out of comas or trained to reduce their epileptic seizure frequency, suggest that we ought to look more deeply and rigorously into the technique. Whether it works can only be determined by controlled studies, which may be forthcoming. In the meantime, Robbins provides contact lists and additional research information for interested readers, as well as the inspiration to pursue a potentially life-saving treatment. --Rob Lightner

This is the first book I read about neurofeedback, when it had just come out and I was just going into training as a neurofeedback therapist myself. Now, seven years later, although I've read most of the books out there on neurofeedback, this is still the basic one I recommend to potential clients when they want to know what neurofeedback is, how it works, and how it might help them or their kids get or stay off Prozac, Ritalin, etc. or just have better moods, better focus, better health.

It's written by a journalist, not a scientist, not a therapist. It tells stories of people who successfully used neurofeedback to help them with brain damage, ADD, mood disorders, drug abuse, etc. It tells the story of the author himself getting neurofeedback therapy. It tells the history of neurofeedback and discusses why neurofeedback has had such a hard time getting accepted by the medical establishment. There is definitely a "Wow!" element to the book: "Can you believe this therapy works this well?", which is partly there because it enhances the story and partly because neurofeedback really does very frequently lead to amazing results. I find the stories interesting and the book compelling, well-written, and easy to read.

The book is not meant to be either an objective review of research or a technical manual for how to do neurofeedback. People wanting those will be frustrated by this book. Even if it had focused on technical aspects, the material would be out of date by now. Other books, web sites, and journal articles have these (and, yes, there is by now lots of research showing the clinical effectiveness of neurofeedback).

But for people wanting to understand whether neurofeedback might be useful for themselves or their kids, and what they might experience if they do neurofeedback therapy, I recommend this book highly.

Elizabeth Walker, Ph.D. www.seattleneurofeedback.com

There are so many people everyone knows that have issues that could be helped with Neurofeedback that this makes it an excellenct book to read and pass on. I did and have deceided to get neurofeedback for my daughter.

This is a great book to let the reader know the general history and information about neurofeedback. However,this is an ever changing field and this book does not have current 2007 information about the industry. I found it really helpful for research purposes. Overall it is a 'must read' especially if you are considering becoming a practitioner.

For parents (or anyone) seeking answers on this effective but relatively unknown type of therapy, this book is a great resource (especially the last chapters). WARNING: Many practitioners cannot practice this therapy as effectively as the researchers who have been creating the protocols -- we were fortunate enough to find someone local who could, but DO YOUR HOMEWORK, this book gives you a good start.

I got this book from another person who felt that biofeedback has matured to the point that it is vastly superior to medication for children with attention-deficit disorders, or adults with anger or impatience issues.

Although it was published in 2001, I agree with the reviewers that say this is an ideal starter book. I am so impressed by the very balanced, methodical presentation that this author provides, that I am scheduling a
biofeedback evaluation session to see for myself.

Other reviewers have done a superb job on the meat of this book, so my usual summative review is not necessary. Instead, I want to emphasize the relevance of this book to the future of the planet. As with another book I reviewed over a year ago, on the emergent integration of psychology and neuroscience, I have become convinced that macro-neuroscience (belief systems of entire cultures or grops) and micro-neuroscience (individual issues now responsive to learned biofeedback) are going to become the PRIMARY science ofthe future. We have to cut health care costs in the USA by 75% over the next ten years--there are only three ways to do that: preventive medicine, alternative medicine, and an end to price gouging by big pharma.

The US Government is wasting trillions of dollars on a heavy-metal military that is not only not going to win in Iraq, but is making the problem worse by being an occupying power and by inspiring jihadists worldwide. At the same time, the US Government is talking the talk about Public Diplomacy, Strategic Communication, and Information Operations--a more substantive variation of Psychological Operations (PSYOP), but they are NOT walking the walk. Funding for the understanding and remediation of evil belief systems is non-existent, and funding for ensuring that our own children receive the best and most innovation education is also not there. We should be melding psychology, sociology, anthropology, neuroscience, political and economic science, and so on, and we should be thinking, as Howard Bloom does in "Global Brain" how to bring to bear the full resources of our Nation on creating an educated stable population capable of creating infinite wealth.

This book is therefore, in my opinion, the very tip of the iceberg on what could become the "American Way of Peace" in the 21st Century. First we have to take our government and our military away from the neo-cons, and restore our reputation as America the good. Getting biofeedback introduced very early into all our schools would be an excellent place to start.

This book made a believer out of me, and I am relatively certain that once I experience biofeedback for myself under supervision, I am going to want to adopt it as a personal tool.

Collective Intelligence: Mankind's Emerging World in Cyberspace
Global Brain: The Evolution of Mass Mind from the Big Bang to the 21st Century
The New Craft of Intelligence: Personal, Public, & Political--Citizen's Action Handbook for Fighting Terrorism, Genocide, Disease, Toxic Bombs, & Corruption
The Tao of Democracy: Using Co-Intelligence to Create a World That Works for All
World Brain (Essay Index Reprint Series)