Neurocognitive Assessment Program

Caron’s Neurocognitive Assessment Program is offered in Florida at The Keele Medical Center. Patients will reside at The Keele Center in private rooms with en suite bathrooms.

Because substances and some medication used in detox can change a person’s neuromap, detox patients can complete a medical history, physical, and lab tests, but other parts of the assessment will have to wait. In addition, the clinical team may recommend that the patient complete residential treatment first.

There are no age restrictions as long as the patient is 18 or older. However, it is important that younger patients (ages 18 to 30) understand that there will be some limitations to the assessment process as their brains are not yet fully developed.

During the 10 days, in addition to undergoing a comprehensive battery of tests and monitoring, patients can engage in additional services offered at The Keele Medical Center that are best suited for their needs. This may include participation in process groups, lectures, physical fitness, spiritual services, and more. If patients would like to partake in any ancillary services, such as massage, acupuncture, reiki, breathwork, yoga, etc., it will be at the discretion of the Neuro-restorative Assessment team and will be an out-of-pocket cost.

At the conclusion of the assessment, a patient will receive an integrated screening assessment summary and recommendations, which will include a summary of all test findings and impressions; a conclusion of the findings, and treatment recommendations. It will also include a comprehensive summary of all data findings. The integrated screening assessment will be shared/discussed with the patient as well as any other parties they have signed releases for.

This safe, painless procedure creates a picture of brain activity. An elastic cap with 19 sensors is placed on the patient's head. Those sensors record activity in critical sections of the brain to provide information about how the brain functions.

Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) is a way to measure the cerebral metabolic rate for glucose, allowing clinicians to determine if brain functioning is diminished due to substance use disorder.

It is another way, in addition to qEEG brain mapping, to create a detailed picture of a patient's brain in order to map activity levels and functioning. One of the benefits of swLORETA is that it provides a 3D image.

Therapies used at Caron include:

Alpha-stim therapy uses a non-invasive cranial electrotherapy stimulation device to treat anxiety and insomnia. It delivers a low-amplitude, rhythmic current to the brain that regulates and balances electrochemical signals so that they can function normally.

Brain HQ training provides exercises that improve cognitive performance. The exercises include games and other skill-building techniques to improve attention, memory, and brain speed, among others.

Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback is a non-invasive method of increasing heart rate oscillations through real time feedback and slow breathing training. HRV is a measure of the variation in time between each heartbeat. More variability means that the autonomic nervous system is better able to regulate itself, which can help patients lower stress. Data has shown that if a person’s system is in fight-or-flight mode, the variation between heartbeats tends to be lower.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment that helps the lungs collect more oxygen, which can in turn improve oxygen delivery to the brain. This can improve brain function, reduce cravings, and help with sleep.