Self-regulation of brain gamma band activity through neurofeedback and its effects on visual feature bindings in healthy female students

 Introduction: Previous studies have shown the application of neurofeedback method in the self-regulation of brain neurons activity in some middle frequency bands (such as Theta, Beta and Alpha) and its behavioral and functional effects on tested subjects. In this study, the neurofeedback efficacy upon voluntary control of gamma band power and its results on behavioral measures of visual feature binding of subjects are discussed. Materials and Methods: Two experimental and control groups, each containing eight healthy female students, were chosen at random. For the experimental group, eight Gamma-enhancing neurofeedback sessions aiming at Gamma band power (36-44 Hz) enhancement and simultaneously beta band power (12-20 Hz) inhibition in Oz channel were taken. EEG gamma band power changes and visual feature binding performance in the neurofeedback, and also the pre and post neurofeedback, sessions were assessed using statistical tests. Results: Referring to the acquired results, neurofeedback training yielded to increase Gamma band power during both training sessions and the cognitive task. Likewise, gamma band power raise led to the improvement of the visual feature bindings through decreasing subjects’ reaction times. Conclusion: These consequences clarify the employment of neurofeedback method in the foundation of the brain neurons self-regulatory skills and the enhancement of perception and cognition processes in human beings.