L11: EEG Flashcards
What does an EEG allow us to see
Electrical activity of the brain
How does an EEG work
White cylinders are placed over head which are connected together
What are the advantages of an EEG
Non invasive
Not painful
Which neurones does the EEG pick a signal from
Neurones that are close to the scalp
What is the largest neurone in the cortex that generates the greatest activity in the brain
Cortical pyramidal neurones
What type of neurones are cortical pyramidal neurones
Upper motor neurones
Sensory neurones
What activity does an EEG pick up
The collected activity of neurones
What happens to the signal when there is more synchronous activity
Bigger signal
When do neurones fire synchronously under normal conditions
1) attaching meaning to an image
2) in sleep
What is the brain wave on an EEG tracing for awake called
Alpha
Beta
What are the brain waves on an EEG tracing during sleep
Theta
Delta
Which brain wave shows synchronous activity
Delta waves during sleep
What does synchronous mean
Neurones that are active at the same time
What does asynchronous activity mean
Neurones that are not at the same time
What is the definition of sleep
A reversible state or reduced consciousness
What are the state characteristic of sleep
Reduced mobility
Reduced responsiveness to sensory inputs
Reduced cortical excitability
What are the functions of sleep
Energy conservation
Predator avoidance
What are the consequences of poor sleep
Impairment of cognitive performance e.g Learn and memory
Decrease mood
Altered physical health
When we are awake what rhythms do we record on an EEG
Alpha rhythms Beta rhythms (awake but drowsy)
What are the 2 types of sleep
REM sleep
Non REM sleep
In REM sleep what rhythm do we record
Beta rhythms (desynchronised and similar to awake)
How many stages of non-REM sleep is there
4 stages