LOCAL CLINIC LEADS THE WAY IN MEASURING BRAIN ACTIVITY IN CHILDREN WITH GREATEST COMFORT AND ACCURACY

Voorhees Specialty Center Debuts New, Digital, High‐Definition Technology – First in the Region to Offer Dense Array

Voorhees, NJ - The Center for Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Health (CNNH) announced today the tremendous success they have had in using a breakthrough Dense Array EEG (DA‐EEG) technology, using a specially designed “sensor net” to measure brain waves in children who could not tolerate conventional EEG. “The new methodology is so comfortable and well accepted by all the children we have seen that we are pleasantly surprised,” states Dr. George Niemann the Director of Clinical Development at the clinic. “Children who just cannot sit still or tolerate the demands of conventional methods have no difficulty at all. Besides, the sensor nets allow children to move around to a greater degree than is possible with conventional techniques. The success rate is truly impressive.”

Dr. Mark Mintz, MD, President and CEO of CNNH, who established the clinic and is responsible for implementing the new technique, is seeing tremendous benefits to his patients. “Our new system uses a special sensor net, much like a hairnet, which is placed on the patients head with great comfort and ease. The net has 128 electrode sponges so there is soft, comfortable, contact with the scalp, and no need to use toxic glues or pastes. This has brought about unprecedented relaxation, peace of mind and confidence to patients who were otherwise untestable,” he stated. “Furthermore, the accuracy of detecting and localizing abnormal electrical activity, naturally produced by the brain in people with epilepsy and other neurological disorders, is better than I have experienced with conventional EEG methods which routinely only use 19‐21 electrodes.” CNNH has already replicated the system at another clinic in the state of Virginia and is working with several area hospitals to establish other sites.

The new nets allow for a totally non‐invasive method for recording electrical activity of brain cells. While regular EEGs have been used primarily for the diagnosis and management of epilepsies, new research, some conducted at CNNH, has found DA‐EEG abnormalities in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, autism, neuropsychiatric disorders and concussions. This has allowed Dr. Mintz and his team to more successfully diagnose and treat each of the conditions.

For people with chronic behavioral or emotional conditions, particularly those requiring repeat EEGs, conventional EEG procedures usually provoke anxiety and can be traumatic. Many times such patients are sedated or physically restrained, which also interferes with obtaining a good recording. “The new DA‐ EEG method is an ideal tool because everyone has a very positive experience. We have performed over 1500 studies, the largest out‐patient pediatric experience in the country, and have not had to sedate or restrain anyone,” states Dr. Mintz. “We usually have a child sit in an extra‐large chair with a parent at their side, which reduces any anxiety the child might have. DA‐EEG also offers the same benefit for adults, particularly those with behavioral challenges. We are very pleased to be able to offer this advanced technology for the first time in this region and allow our patients to be comfortable and confident with the outcomes.”

The Center for Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Health (CNNH) offers a unique multidisciplinary model of care for infants to young adults with neurological and psychological disorders. The NJ Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism has already designated CNNH as a Center of Excellence for Autism. CNNH also offers specialized and comprehensive evaluations for Autism, ADHD, Learning Disorders, Tourette Syndrome, Concussion and Brain Injury, Epilepsy and other neurological and neurobehavioral disorders.