The Bright Brain Centre is a specialised neurotherapy practice located in Central London providing evidence-based, applied neuroscience solutions for brain and PNS health. Founded in 2016 by Nadia Hristova, the centre is currently the only place in London, offering comprehensive psycho-physiological brain (EEG) and autonomic nervous system assessments, and personalised neuro-programmes, designed to match your unique brain and body physiological profile.
Each programme is adapted to your needs, preferences, and learning style, and is delivered with greatest care by qualified, knowledgeable and experienced professionals.
OUR APPROACH
Our work is based on the understanding that our perceptions, our everyday experiences, our mental states and behaviours are represented and determined by distinct neural activation patterns in the brain and the body. These activation patterns vary significantly from individual to individual, and throughout each individual’s life span, and depend on multiple genetic, metabolic, maturational and environmental factors.
For instance, in the brain of a neurotypical person without history of a brain injury or trauma, reporting high levels of well-being, and good ability to regulate their emotions, we would find a strong and stable connection between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala, responsive Anterior Cingulate Cortex, and efficient functional connectivity between the two cerebral hemispheres, and between the Default Mode, Salience and Executive brain networks. In their body, we would be able to detect a healthy vagal tone, as encoded by efficient respiration, high heart rate variability and moderate and flexible galvanic skin response.
In contrast, in the brain of an individual with a history of trauma, brain injury, or genetic vulnerability, or one presenting with symptoms of burnout, who struggle to regulate their emotions and and often feel overwhelmed, anxious, demotivated, or fatigued, we would typically detect an over-active limbic system, an under-active prefrontal cortex and disrupted connectivity between both brain structures. Frequently, the left and right cerebral hemispheres of the brain of such individual would be out of balance, and, similarly, the connectivity between the three key brain networks would be compromised.
The body would manifest an over-active sympathetic nervous system, reduced heart rate variability and chronically elevated (fight and flight mode), or chronically reduced and inflexible (freeze-state) galvanic skin response levels. These woud often be accompanied by various hormonal and endocrine disruptions, allergies and immune system malfunction.
Fortunately, with the advance of applied neuroscience, we gained multiple tools that allow us to measure and analyse the above mentioned physiological activation patterns and to quantify mental states. Psycho-physiological techniques, such as electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), functional near-infra-red spectroscopy, pupilometry, electrocardiography (ECG) and electro-dermal response readings are now routinely used to examine the central and peripheral nervous system. And, more importantly, we are now able to transform the acquired physiological data into a stream of visual, auditory or tactile signals, and feed it back to the individual, helping them learn to change voluntarily their physiology.
In our clinic we assess the physiology underlying human mental states, with the help of EEG (electoencephalography), HRV (heart rate variability), SCL (skin conductance levels) and EMG (electro-myography detecting muscle tension). We analyse the data and design protocols that feed back instantaneously relevant biometric information in the form of visual, auditory and/or tactile sensory signals. This Brain/Body-Computer-Interface loop creates optimal conditions for for reward-based, adaptive learning that allows the brain and body to change towards a healthier and more efficient functioning.
To help the brain learn, obtain more energy and create new connections, we also utilize a range of neuro-modulatory techniques, such as transcranial electric stimulation (tES), pulsed electromagnetic field (pEMF) stimulation, photo-bio-modulation and audio-visual stimulation.
HOLISTIC CARE
While neuro-therapy and the methods it incorporates, represents a credible approach to optimising brain and body health, it shall not be seen as some sort of magical solution, or a panacea for all ailments.
In many cases improvement in our cognitive, emotional and body health can be achieved by combining multiple life style changes and various therapeutic interventions. With this in mind, we have established and continue to develop an expanding network of trusted local health professionals specialising in neurology, neurorehabilitation, integrative psychiatry, psychotherapy, nutrition and osteopathy to provide you with access to a high quality overall specialist support, while undergoing neurotherapy sessions with us.
To find out whether we can help, or to book a brain assessment, call us on 075 26968907, email us at welcome@brightbraincentre.co.uk, or get in touch via the form below.