A new way to evaluate brain function

June 3, 2020

Functional Videonystagmography (fVNG) allows us to carefully look at specific eye movements that would not be seen with the naked eye, as they relate to brain function.  Different regions of our brain control different types of eye movement, pupillary response, and optokinetic function; assessing these eye movements is one of our greatest windows into brain function.  Through VNG, we are able to analyze and determine which regions of the brain are deficient.  With these findings, we are able to develop training programs to revitalize the problematic areas, harnessing brain function through eye exercises and other specific neurological rehabilitative treatments. 

It is important to understand that general eye movements in every direction are not therapeutic to the brain in most cases.  If movements are not performed in the specific planes of deficiency, you may be exercising a part of the brain that is already working too hard, which can do more harm than good.  At Portland Chiropractic Neurology, we are very careful to develop plans along specific patterns in order to restore normal signaling within the brain, resulting in healthy changes in the brain, or neuroplasticity.  Neuroplasticity is created by connecting as many neurons as possible. An analogy would be a super computer, which is created by connecting many servers and devices to create incredibly fast processing speed.  We are attempting to create the same processor in our brain, by giving it as many appropriate connections as possible. 

Once the brain starts to receive this activation, it develops more neuronal connections, creating neuroplasticity as previously discussed, but now it continues to develop on its own as it has the speed and juice to accomplish the task, when it wasn’t able to before.  These neuronal connections and the specificity and speed at which they are firing and communicating dictates the health of our brain.

Once the brain starts to function with efficiency, we notice that conditions/symptoms such as depression, anxiety, fogginess in though, ADHD, Learning disabilities, memory, mood, motivation, analytics, music appreciation, dizziness, vertigo, migraines, fibromyalgia, athletic performance, post-Concussion Syndrome, heart rate/rhythm, blood pressure, posture, joint angulations, muscle spasms, et cetera, begin to significantly improve and resolve.  This is a long list, but it is just a few of the things that can be improved when our brain function/health improves, as it is the master control system of our body and every function in it.  Having a healthy brain and nervous system gives us unlimited potential as it relates to learning, function and life.