NESC 2470 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Dipeptide, Pineal Gland, Brainstem
26 Nov 2012
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Document Summary
Enables us to glimpse the generalized activity of the cerebral cortex. Used primarily to diagnose certain neurological conditions. First described by hans berger in 1929: seizures in epilepsy, sleep studies. Measures voltage change in the brain during synaptic excitation of pyramidal cell dendrites. Amplitude of signal depends on how synchronous activity of underlying neurons is. Can"t tell us if a person is thinking, tells us if they are thinking. Measures the magnetic field produced by the activation of neurons. Much better at locating sources of neural activity in brain, especially when the signals are deep below the surface of the brain. Measure direct flow of neurons (eeg too) Can measure very rapid changes (eeg too) Beta rhythms: anything greater than 14hz, signal an activated cortex. Alpha rhythms: 8-13 hz, associated with quiet, waking states. Theta rhythms: 4-7hz, occur during some sleep states. Delta rhythms: less than 4hz, are the hallmark of deep sleep.
