Definition
Signals in the human EEG in the frequency range from 8 to 13 Hz are considered to be part of the alpha activity. As simplest functional correlate, one can describe it as an “idling” wave, which much like a screensaver keeps neurons at a minimum alertness. Indeed, the amplitude fluctuates with attention and arousal and, for example, stimulants can switch the balance from slow to fast alpha or increase both, interpreted as an altered vigilance state.
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© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Boeijinga, P.H. (2010). Function of Slow and Fast Alpha Waves. In: Stolerman, I.P. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_1221
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_1221
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-68698-9
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