
Julia Trojniak
University of Rzeszow, PolandPresentation Title:
The current state of knowledge regarding the use of quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG) in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a diverse group of neurodevelopmental disorders with multifactorial causes, marked by social communication difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and sensory disturbances. Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG) is an advanced EEG analysis method that provides objective assessments of brain activity, producing neuronal activity maps for neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Although interest in QEEG is growing, evidence on its application to ASD remains limited. However, our research team is currently conducting comprehensive studies on the use of QEEG in the diagnosis and treatment of ASD. Existing studies suggest specific features of ASD in QEEG, such as increased Delta wave power in the frontal region (Fz), heightened activity in the Beta1 and SMR bands, and frequent similarities between QEEG recordings in ASD and epileptiform patterns. Furthermore, significant variability in EEG findings among individuals with ASD has been noted, potentially reflecting individual differences in functioning and the presence of comorbid conditions.
Therapeutically, QEEG is used in EEG biofeedback to modulate neuronal activity, improving cognitive functions, attention, and emotional regulation. It also helps monitor treatment responses.
QEEG holds promise for enhancing ASD diagnostics and enabling personalized therapies. However, further research is needed to standardize procedures and ensure reliable therapeutic outcomes.
Biography
Julia Trojniak is a 5th year student of medicine at Medical College at University of Rzeszow. Since the beginning of her studies, she has been actively involved in scientific activities. She is interested in the use of modern diagnostic methods, as QEEG in the diagnosis of mental and neurological disorders, as well as the health-promoting and anti-cancer properties of natural resources. She has authored and co-authored 7 scientific publications and 12 papers presented at international conferences to date. Additionally, she organized two international conferences and is currently implementing a research grant in which she underwent training in clinical use of QEEG diagnostics.