Institute of Functional Neuroscience

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Institute of Functional Neuroscience

The Institute of Functional Neuroscience was established in 2008 to help improve the health and lifestyles of patients suffering from Migraines, Epilepsy,

Inspiring Hope, Creating Expertise and Enhancing Humanity

The Institute of Functional Neuroscience was established in 2008 to help improve the health and lifestyles of patients suffering from Migraines, Epilepsy, Seizures, Anxiety, Strokes, Tinnitus, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Vertigo, Dysautonomia, Dyspraxias, Dysphasia, Depression, Learning Disabilities, Developmetal Disorders, Concussion syndromes and Autism. The Institute works closely with medical and other health care practitioners to find solutions to neurologic cases which are not responding satisfactorily to established treatment protocols, and directly with patients for whom a medical diagnosis is inconclusive. Historically, the search for the cause of disorders of the nervous system has focused on finding morphologic (physical) or chemical abnormalities. However, advanced research in the field of neuroscience emanating from Harvard University, Columbia University, the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies and the University of Cambridge is revealing previously unrecognised aberrations in neurologic integration or function as contributing factors. Building on this research, the Institute has introduced the use of sophisticated, non-invasive diagnostic technology, including Qualitative Electroencephalography (QEEG), and Low-resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA), to detect underlying functional brain abnormalities which are not generally observed or measured with standard clinical testing. By tracking the functional status or central integrative state of a patient's unique brain patterns, clinicians at the Institute are able to identify abnormal neurologic pathways that may be involved in a patient's failure to respond, or prove to the be underlying cause. Once the nature of a patient's neurologic dysfunction has been explored and understood, a strategy for normalising neural integration is implemented using conservative, evidence-based sensory, motor, auditory and visual stimulation techniques. By taking a different perspective the Institute focuses on the things that are important: the freedom to enjoy life, to love your family and to pursue your dreams. If you would like the Institute to consider taking your case - or that of someone you know - please contact us. Disclaimer:

“All practitioners who provide treatment at the Institute of Functional Neuroscience hold general registrations as chiropractors and do not hold specialist registration and are not medically trained”

“Patients may seek a second opinion from a registered specialist neurologist or medical practitioner, if they wish to do so, prior to commencing treatment”

18/08/2025

Dr. Beck's further revised text is currently available for preorder, and will be available for sale on 19 September 2025.
Manual therapy is an effective treatment for many of the symptoms of neurological conditions. This practical book is a complete guide to the understanding and application of functional neurology specifically for chiropractors, osteopathic physicians and osteopaths, manual therapists, physiotherapists, acupuncturists and massage therapists.
Easy to read and follow, this book covers basic concepts of nervous system anatomy and functional circuits. You will learn how to test for neurological problems, recognise abnormal performance, and coordinate appropriate rehabilitation for a wide range of patient presentations.
With clinical cases, quick facts and bonus videos and MCQs to support learning, Functional Neurology for Practitioners of Manual Medicine is all you will need for a detailed clinical understanding of functional neurology that will support your practice.
Preorder here: https://shop.elsevier.com/books/functional-neurology-for-practitioners-of-manual-medicine/beck/978-0-323-93262-2

23/04/2024

Dr. Beck's revised textbook has also been translated into Koren by In Chang-sik and Woo Young-min. This edition (both English and Korean) contains a bonus DVD with fully searchable text, a downloadable image bank, brain dissection and video clips of the manipulative techniques and examination procedures found within the volume plus 200 multiple choice questions.
Published in 2013, available on Jeongmungak.co.kr

20/03/2024

New for this edition are new chapters on pain (including headache) and theoretical evidence, plus extensive electronic resources supporting the text.
Published 2011, available on Amazon.

13/03/2024

Dr. Beck's text explores the neurological impact of the application of functional neurological principles, using a detailed clinical approach, supported by clinical case studies.
Published in 2007, available on Amazon.

22/12/2023

IFN would like to take this opportunity to wish you peace and good tidings this holiday season.
Happy holidays to you and yours, and health and happiness in the the New Year.

01/11/2023

IFN enjoyed a safe & happy Halloween. We hope you did too!

17/08/2023

For most of us, the thought that our parents and grandparents don't or didn't have s*x is most likely a comforting thought.
The reality is that for a significant proportion of our older people, s*x has no use-by date. We are s*xual beings throughout their lives, yet certain cultural ideas have tried to concealed that fact.
Cultural biases resulting from these ideas can result in beliefs that are not true, for example that the purpose of s*x is to make children or according to Hollywood, s*x is only for the young, the healthy, and the beautiful.
The results of these beliefs are that many middle-aged people fear their later s*xual life. S*xuality and intimacy are essential elements for quality of life, with clear physical, emotional, and relational benefits.
Fascinating discoveries from Nils Beckman and colleagues found that the s*x drive persists even as people (and men in particular) reach their 100th year.
We are gradually learning more about the many health benefits of s*xual activity. Benefits include muscle relaxation, pain relief (even, perhaps ironically, for headaches), and better sleep, stress relief reduction in depression, delayed onset of dementia and a substantial reduction in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular problems in men. Additionally, research has shown that hugging can reduce the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, and kissing positively influences cholesterol levels.
“S*xuality is a fundamental need, natural as eating and sleeping. It is certain that we change with advancing age, both mentally and physically, but s*xuality does not disappear at a certain age.
S*xuality is closely connected to love and connectedness. Being able to give and receive love is an individual ability which is not age related”
If you would like to learn more about this topic, contact us at info@ifn.net.au or 618 6254 2282.

References
No Expiration Date for S*x - Medscape - May 18, 2023
Epidemiological studies of s*xuality in old age © Nils Beckman 2015 Nils.beckman@neuro.gu.se ISBN 978-91-628-9226-5
Rundgren, Å., Äldre och s*xualitet. Nordisk Geriatrik, 2009. 3: p. 17- 23

21/07/2023

The Harvard Study of Adult Development may be the most comprehensive study ever conducted, as it followed its participants for their entire adult lives. The study was started in Boston in 1938 and has already covered three generations: grandparents, parents, and children, who are now considered "baby boomers." The study has allowed the analysis of more than 2000 people throughout 85 years of longitudinal study.
The study's happiest participants had two major factors in common throughout its 85 years: taking care of their health and building loving relationships with others.
The happiest people valued and fostered relationships.
Loneliness is increasingly common in our society today. Loneliness creates challenges when dealing with stressful situations. It is essential to have someone with whom we can vent our anxieties and thoughts. The study demonstrated that maintaining social connections requires constant practice. Friendships and relationships need regular commitment to keep them from fizzling out. A simple telephone call or meeting up for a coffee can help. Participating in activities that bring joy and encourage camaraderie, such as sports, hobbies, and volunteer work, may broaden the relationship network.
Social media can contribute to isolation and it is important to understand that social media posts almost always show the positive side of people's lives and suggests that everyone lives worry-free. However, the truth is that no one's life is free of difficulties and challenges.
Social skills contribute to our resilience to meet and overcome life’s challenges and difficulties.
This study highlights the importance of having social skills and always cultivating our relationships to help us become healthier, overcome challenging moments, and achieve the happiness that we all desire.
It is time to put down your phone for a few minutes and have a conversation with someone you care about.
Why not start today?

Reference
https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/

11/07/2023

The Child Development and Disability Branch of the CDC’s National Centre on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities biennial reports have revealed a steady uptick in autism prevalence among 8-year-old children, from an estimated 1 in 150 children in the year 2000 to 1 in 44 in 2018. In 2020, 1 in 36 children were identified with an autism spectrum disorder.
Autistic girls have been chronically underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed and tend to be diagnosed later than boys. Identification of autism in girls reached an all-time high in 2020, and for the first time, more than 1% of 8-year-old girls were estimated to be autistic, a threshold recognized in boys 2 decades ago.
“There’s really not good evidence that there’s something else that would be changing over time in a way that would amount to an appreciable increase in prevalence,” the CDC’s Maenner said. A mathematical modelling study he co-authored in 2011 found that changes in several perinatal risk factors for autism, either alone or in different combinations, could account for less than 1% of the 57% increase in US autism prevalence from 2002 to 2006.
Identifying autism is just the beginning. An autism diagnosis on its own can help children and their families better understand and relate to each other. And although there are long wait times for some behavioural interventions, other supports to manage co-occurring traits and conditions, such as speech and occupational therapies, are easier to access with a diagnosis.
“There’s much more work to be done to support all autistic people” stated Dr Randy Beck of the Institute of Functional Neuroscience (IFN) Perth Australia, when asked to comment on this study “It’s not that helpful to get someone a diagnosis if you can’t get them all the treatment services that they need.”
Dr Beck described how recognition and treatment can be helpful to people suffering from a variety of dysfunctions that may include depression, ADHD, PTSD, Autism and others “Certain areas of the brain are essential in the development of our ability to understand the social cues necessary to build relationships and develop trust. We can now identify these areas and measure the clinical progress of treatment with the technology we use at IFN. This allows us the opportunity to help a variety of different emotional or social dysfunction in both adults and children that were not possible even 5 years ago.”
If you would like to contact the Institute of Functional Neuroscience to get more information or to book an initial assessment, please call us on 618 6254 2282 or send us an email at info@ifn.net.au.

Reference
Harris E. Autism Prevalence Has Been on the Rise in the US for Decades—And That’s Progress. JAMA. Published online May 03, 2023. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.6078

10/05/2023

Had COVID? Part of the Virus May Stick Around in Your Brain
If you or someone you know is experiencing "brain fog" after COVID-19, we may now have a possible explanation — and it might not bring much comfort.
Researchers in Germany found that part of the virus, the spike protein, remains in the brain long after the virus clears out.
The researchers found that about 15% of COVID patients continue to have long-term effects of the infection despite their recovery from symptoms and a negative test for COVID. Even people who had mild COVID illness can develop brain fog much later after their symptoms have cleared.
Reported neurological problems include brain fog, brain tissue loss, a decline in thinking abilities, and problems with memory.
They also found COVID can change how proteins act in and around the brain. Some of these proteins are linked to Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease but have never been linked to the virus before now.
Designing treatment strategies for these neurological symptoms requires an in-depth knowledge of molecules dysregulated by the virus in the brain tissues, and how these dysregulated molecules affect the neurophysiology of the brain.
The non-invasive brain stimulation techniques developed by the Institute of Functional Neuroscience have shown very positive results in re-establishing normal brain activity in patients following COVID-19 infection.
If you would like to know more about how the Institute may be able to help you or your loved ones with post-COVID-19 symptoms, please contact us on 08 6254 2282 or info@ifn.net.au.

Reference
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/990741?ecd=WNL_trdalrt_pos1_ous_230418&uac=121464ST&impID=5347107

30/04/2023

Symptoms and Reduced Quality of Life can Persist 5 years out from a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (Concussion)

A recent study conducted by a group of American universities, including Harvard University, has found that most people who have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury are still experiencing reduced quality of life and specific symptoms related to the injury at 5 years post-injury. The study found persistently elevated rates of unfavourable outcomes including depression, cognitive decline, and physical disability in people with mTBI than those of controls over a 5-year period of study. When asked to comment on the findings of the study, Dr Randy Beck of the Institute of Functional Neuroscience in Perth, Australia stated “The results of this study are important because most studies looking at concussion have concluded at 6 months to 1-year post-concussion, so we have not had a good cohort study over a significant period to evaluate how the long-term effects of concussion can affect our lives. Clinically, we see the long-term effects daily, but it is always good to support independent research as a foundation for treatment.”
The study also found increased mortality rates, probably related to cognitive decline and depression in patients with mTBI compared to control subjects.
“This study demonstrates that more long-term monitoring and neurorehabilitation are needed in the management of concussion. Clinicians at the Institute have developed very effective non-invasive approaches to concussion rehabilitation and use EEG to monitor the recovery process.”
If you would like more information on concussion or other neurological conditions, please contact the Institute of Functional Neuroscience at 618 6254 2282 or via email at info@ifn.net.au

Reference
Nelson LD, Temkin NR, Barber J, et al. Functional Recovery, Symptoms, and Quality of Life 1 to 5 Years After Traumatic Brain Injury. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(3):e233660. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.3660

31/03/2023

Trichloroethylene: An Invisible Cause of Parkinson’s Disease?

The number of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) has more than doubled in the past 30 years. Numerous genetic causes or risk factors for the disease have been identified, but most individuals with PD do not carry any of these mutations. Several environmental toxicants, especially certain pesticides, have also been linked to PD, and head trauma is also associated with an increased risk. However, these are insufficient to explain the widespread prevalence of PD. There must be alternate and invisible causes that we have not yet identified.
One of these may be trichloroethylene (TCE), a ubiquitous chemical that has contaminated our environment and poses health risks to those who are (often unknowingly) exposed via their work or their environment.
TCE is a simple six-atom (two carbons, one hydrogen, and three chlorines) solvent that is clear, colourless, volatile, non-flammable, and environmentally persistent. It was first synthesized in the lab in 1864, and commercial production began in the 1920s. Because of its unique properties, TCE has had countless industrial, commercial, military, and medical applications. Among these are producing other chlorinated compounds (e.g., refrigerants), cleaning electronics, and degreasing engine parts for civilian and military purposes. As it readily evaporates and does not shrink fabrics, TCE was used to dry clean clothes beginning in the 1930s.
TCE is found in numerous consumer products (Table 1), including typewriter correction fluid, paint removers, and carpet cleaners. Until the 1970s, it was used to decaffeinate coffee. The volatile TCE was also an inhaled aesthetic until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned it in 1977.
Because TCE is lipophilic, it is TCE readily distribute in the brain and body tissues and appear to cause mitochondrial dysfunction at high doses. This may partially explain the link to PD as dopaminergic neurons are sensitive to mitochondrial neurotoxicants such as MPTP/MPP+, paraquat, and rotenone.
The institute of Functional Neuroscience is dedicated to developing and exploring new clinical applications to treat a variety of complex and difficult conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. The Institute utilises non-invasive brain stimulation to encourage neuroplastic restructuring to enhance brain function.
If you would like more information about how we may be able to help you, or your loved ones please contact us at 618 6254 2282 or info@ifn.net.au

Reference
Dorsey, E. Ray et al. ‘Trichloroethylene: An Invisible Cause of Parkinson’s Disease?’ 1 Jan. 2023: 203 – 218.

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