QEEG Biomarkers: Assessment and Selection of Special Operators, and Improving Individual Performance

Future military special operator selection and education programs will take advantage of state-of-the-art neuroimaging and normative statistical tools in the creation of a customized database of EEG patterns gathered from top performing specialists over their careers. Such a quantitative EEG Normative Database (qEND) will function as the benchmark for screening, assessment, selection and even training of targeted individuals required to work effectively as operators under extreme stresses and for extended periods. This assumption implies that an improved warfighter selection and training pedagogy will embrace the concept of a “model” brain activity pattern (BAP) that represents a warfighter at peak potential and in a highly focused and resilient state of mind. It also implies that this model BAP can be used to: 1) identify biomarkers of positive traits in candidates for specialized training programs, and 2) reduce stress and improve sleep and training performance of program selectees using guided EEG neurofeedback to maintain an optimal BAP. One such statistical qEND (NeuroGuide) is used clinically in the assessment and diagnosis of EEG imbalances specifically related to neurological and behavioral disorders, as well as for guiding individual brain pattern changes through the use of neurofeedback training (NT).

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