Last Updated: October 2025

Every brain is unique, and so is every Functional Neurology session at The Carroll Institute in Sarasota. Under the direction of Dr. Garland Glenn, DC, PhD, AFMC, Sarasota’s only ReCODE-certified Functional Neurology clinic, each visit is designed to reactivate underperforming brain circuits and restore communication between neurons. These sessions use advanced technologies—such as the Neuronic Photobiomodulation Helmet and the Neurosensory Motor Integrator (SMI)—to accelerate neuroplastic repair and rebuild cognitive strength.

Step 1: Review and Baseline Testing

Each session begins with a quick review of your most recent results from your Functional Neurology exam. Dr. Glenn measures progress in focus, balance, coordination, and reaction speed to fine-tune your therapy plan. This ensures that the brain stimulation you receive is always targeted and safe. Adjustments are made based on how your nervous system responded during previous visits.

Step 2: Targeted Brain Activation Exercises

Next, your session moves into active neural stimulation. Depending on which brain areas are underactive, you may perform balance or coordination drills, eye-movement retraining, or sensory exercises. Each task strengthens specific neural pathways responsible for attention, posture, or spatial awareness. These exercises are gentle but highly specific—stimulating the right region for the right amount of time to create measurable change.

For example, patients recovering from concussion or stroke often begin with eye-tracking and balance tasks that engage the cerebellum. Those with memory issues may work on exercises that activate the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Every repetition helps neurons communicate more efficiently, improving cognitive and physical performance together.

Step 3a: Advanced Brain Technologies Used at The Carroll Institute

What sets The Carroll Institute apart is its integration of advanced neurotechnologies that accelerate brain repair. Two tools—the Neuronic Photobiomodulation Helmet and the Neurosensory Motor Integrator (SMI)—play a major role in these sessions.

• Neuronic Photobiomodulation Helmet: This light-based system delivers near-infrared energy to cortical regions, improving oxygenation, blood flow, and mitochondrial function (Science Advances, 2022). As neurons receive more energy, they respond faster to stimulation, enabling new pathways to form more easily.
• Neurosensory Motor Integrator (SMI): The SMI uses interactive visual-motor tasks displayed on a large screen to retrain timing, coordination, and focus (RKB Instruments). By synchronizing eye movements with hand responses, it strengthens cerebellar and cortical networks that control both motion and thought.

These devices are often used together to enhance the brain’s ability to rebuild its own pathways. Light therapy increases energy availability, while sensorimotor training guides neurons to use that energy efficiently. Patients frequently describe the experience as both relaxing and invigorating—often noticing sharper focus and steadier balance immediately after treatment.

Step 4: Cognitive and Sensory Integration

After neurological activation, cognitive drills are introduced to reinforce the new neural connections. You might solve short-term memory puzzles, perform dual-task coordination challenges, or engage in eye-hand reaction games. These activities test the brain’s ability to integrate information from multiple sensory systems simultaneously. Over time, the exercises improve focus, attention, and information-processing speed.

Step 5: Rest, Recovery, and Reassessment

Once stimulation ends, the brain needs a short recovery window to consolidate gains. During this time, Dr. Glenn reassesses key metrics such as eye tracking, postural control, and cognitive clarity. These rapid comparisons help confirm that the session produced measurable changes. If a particular region shows significant improvement, subsequent sessions may progress to more complex tasks.

How Functional Neurology Supports Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Decline

For patients experiencing cognitive decline, these sessions play a crucial role in restoring communication between brain regions affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Combined with the Bredesen ReCODE Protocol, Functional Neurology stimulates networks involved in memory, attention, and executive function. This integrative approach has helped many patients regain clarity and independence. Learn more in How Functional Neurology Helps Alzheimer’s Disease.

How Many Sessions Are Needed to See Results?

Most patients notice initial changes within a few weeks. Improvements may include sharper focus, steadier balance, and reduced mental fatigue. Because neuroplasticity builds through repetition, Dr. Glenn typically recommends a series of sessions over several months. Each visit builds upon the last, reinforcing newly formed pathways until they become stable and automatic. Consistent practice—both in office and at home—ensures lasting results.

What Makes The Carroll Institute Different

Dr. Glenn completed more than 500 hours of Functional Neurology training under Dr. Ted Carrick, founder of the Carrick Institute and pioneer of Functional Neurology. This foundation, combined with his Advanced Functional Medicine Clinician certification, allows him to address not only neural pathways but also the metabolic conditions that influence them. The result is a truly comprehensive program—one that treats both the brain and the body as an interconnected system.

Whether you are recovering from concussion, managing brain fog, or working to prevent neurodegeneration, Functional Neurology sessions help you retrain the brain to function more efficiently. Over time, patients often describe feeling “switched on” again—more focused, balanced, and confident in daily life.

Take the Next Step Toward a Sharper, Stronger Brain

If you feel foggy, forgetful, or unsteady, your brain may simply need the right stimulation to reconnect. The Carroll Institute’s Functional Neurology sessions help you identify those weak links and strengthen them naturally. Book a Discovery Call today to begin your personalized journey to better focus, energy, and cognitive clarity.

Sources

• Functional Neurology Overview — The Carroll Institute
• Photobiomodulation Improves Cerebral Blood Flow — Science Advances (2022)
• Neurosensory Motor Integrator — RKB Instruments
• Reversal of Cognitive Decline — Aging (2014)
• Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer’s — NIH (2023)

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