1.  Frontal lobes are at the front of the brain (in pink below)
    
    
2. We are distinguished from the animals by the size and structure of the frontal region of our brain. We are rational to the extent that we utilize and develop our frontal lobes.
    
3. Prefrontal cortex of the brain “mediates executive control” over behavior. In other words, this part of the brain analyze, directs and decides our behavior. It acts as a selective gating of filtering mechanism that controls information processing.
    
4. It thus makes sense that individuals with poor filtering, such as those with Attention deficits, Phobias , Post-traumatic stress, Alzheimer’s, Migraine, Impulsivity  or Schizophrenia, would display hypo-frontality.
    
5. Many studies have shown abnormal regional cerebral blood flow in the frontal lobes while suffering from the above conditions. For instance below the activity of the frontal lobes of a normal subjects and in an Alzheimer patient 
   
       
    
6.  The above conditions are generally treated by drugs. However, frequently patients or parents of patients prefer not to use drugs and look for alternative treatments.
    
7. Hemoencephalography (HEG) is the measurement of blood circulation and neural activation/metabolism in the brain. More specifically, it is the study of voluntarily controlled blood flow or oxygenation in specifically chosen brain modules.
    
8. One form of HEG measures the emissions of 14 micron wavelengths of IR light from the frontal part of the head with a special camera in front of the frontal lobe as in the figure.
   
   
    
9.  When a trainee is made aware of ongoing blood flow levels in a neurofeedback setting, it has been shown that the trainee can use a focused state of concentration and create increases in brain blood flow levels (increase the number in the display).  To do that thetrainee need to maintain a RELAXED BUT FOCUSED state of active concentration that keeps the blood flow level up. If he/she lose his/her active focus by relaxing too much, trying too hard, or becoming tense, frustrated, excited or stressed, the blood flow will drop and so the machine reading
    
10.  HEG training is non-invasive and relatively easy to implement. Not particular contraindications have been reported in the five years of application in the USA and only beneficial effects have been experienced from its use.
     
11.  Here are “before & after” thermal photographs taken by a special IR thermo-graphic camera by Dr. Jeff Carmen, (the inventor of the system). These show the immediate effects of HEG training on vascular (and neural) activation in the trainee: 
    
    
     In the top photograph you see a woman suffering from chronic anger pre-treatment. The darker the colour the less the neuro-vascular activity. Notice the particularly dark spot over the right eye which is typical of anger states.
     
     
    The second is the same subject after a 40-50 minutes HEG training. Notice the photograph is generally lighter in the frontal lobe regions.
     
    This is the same woman at the beginning of the second session. These pre-treatment image is already better but still shows the dark regions over the frontal lobes.
     
    Again, after the second session of HEG training: The whole region is much lighter and she subsequently reported a much higher degree of control over her anger states.