Re: alpha burst activity [medical]

[Kat Nagel/MasterWork <katnagel -at- EZNET -dot- NET>]

Brad DeMond asked:
>>Can anyone tell me what alpha burst
>>activity is? It's clearly brainwave activity, but if it indicates
>>wakefulness, then what would indicate drowsiness? Is there such a thing a
>>"beta"  activity?
>>

Yes, there is beta activity.  There are delta and theta activities, too,
and might be even more (it's been a while since I last looked at a
neurology text.)

From memory:
Alpha waves, beta waves, delta waves, and theta waves are all indications
of specific types of brain activity.  They are measured using different
channels of an EEG apparatus.  Alpha activity, if I remember correctly, is
associated with waking-state thought processes and with response to direct
sensory stimulation (loud sounds, bright flashing lights, a  fast right to
the jaw).  The other wave channels respond to 'deeper' brain activity:
control of automatic body functions, meditation states, sleep, etc.  I
don't remember which is which.

There used to be a great book called "Neurology for the non-neurologist."
It had an illustration of a typical EEG printout, with drawings of the
activities that caused each type of wave.  It also gave very thorough
explanations of basic brain-function concepts.  You could try getting a
copy from your local library or through interlibrary loan.



@Kat_____ Kat Nagel
          MasterWork Consulting Services     Rochester, NY
          LIFE1 (techwriting/docdesign) katnagel -at- eznet -dot- net
          LIFE2 (vocal chamber music)    PlaynSong -at- aol -dot- com