Normal EEG Wave Pattern
Dr.Roopchand.PS
Senior Resident(Academic)
Dept. Of Neurology
TDMC Alappuzha
Normal EEG:
• Variety of wave forms.
 ▫   Frequency
 ▫   Amplitude
 ▫   Spatial distribution
 ▫   Reactivity to different stimuli
• The frequency of clinically relevant EEG
  between 0.3 to 70Hz
TYPES:
• EEG Waves are named on the basis of their
  frequency range.
• Delta – Below 3.5 HZ ( 0.1-3.5Hz)
• Theta – 4 to & 7.5Hz
• Alpha – 8 to 13 Hz
• Beta – Above 13Hz (14-40Hz)
• The voltage of the EEG signal determines its
  amplitude.
• Normal range is between 10 to 100µV.
• Amplitude is measured from peak to peak.
 ▫ Called range
• A specific frequency band has a defined
  amplitude range.
• More than 50% amplitude difference between
  two homologous brain areas in two hemispheres
  is abnormal.
Alpha Rhythm:
• Frequency of 8-13Hz
 ▫ During wakefulness
 ▫ Over posterior regions of the head.
• Amplitude < 50µV.
• Best seen with eyes closed and physical and
  mental relaxation.
• Attenuated by attension
 ▫ Visual or mental effort.
• 60% individuals alpha amplitude range between
  20 -60µV, 28% below 20 and 6% above 60µV.
• Amplitude higher on the right.
• Morphology : rounded or sinusoidal.
• Spatial distribution: Posterior half of the head.
 ▫ Occipital, Parietal, posterior temporal.
• Alpha reactivity
 ▫ Eye opening, sensory stimuli, mental activity.
• Three types of alpha
  waves.
  ▫ P- persistent
  ▫ R- responsive
  ▫ M- minimal
• Origin of alpha
  waves:
  thalamus, cortex and
  corticothalamic
  reverberating circuits.
Beta Rhythm:
• Any rhythmical EEG activity above 13HZ.
  ▫ 18-25Hz(common), 14-16Hz(less common), 35-
    40Hz(rare).
• Amplitude 10 - 20µV
• Spatial distribution:
  ▫ Frontal beta: common, very fast, no relationship to
    physiological rhythm.
  ▫ Central beta: mixed with rolandic mu rhythm, blocked
    by tactile stimuli.
  ▫ Posterior beta: fast alpha equivalent, blocked by eye
    opening.
  ▫ Diffuse beta: fast, no relationship to physiological
    rhythm.
• The voltage of Beta is the first to reduce in
  cortical injury, subdural or epidural collection.
• Very fast activity > 35Hz seen in organic
  psychosis.
• Beta depression may occur transiently after focal
  seizures.
Theta rhythm:
•   Frequency between 4 – 8Hz.
•   Amplitude below 15mV
•   Present in frontocentral area.
•   Augmented by emotional stress and mental task.
•   Temporal theta with episodic delta rise -
    abnormal
Mu rhythm:
•   Rhythm of alpha frequency.
•   In young adults
•   Arch like morphology.
•   Blocked by motor movement.
•   Not affected by eye opening.
•   Blocked by mental arithmetic.
Lambda rhythm:
• Sharp transients occuring over the occipital
  region.
 ▫ During awake state.
 ▫ During visual exploration.
• 50µV amplitude, 200-300msec duration.
• Related to occulomotor visual integration and
  arousal mechanism.
Sleep EEG:
• NREM Sleep:
 ▫   I Drowsiness
 ▫   II Light sleep
 ▫   III Deep sleep
 ▫   IV Very deep sleep
• REM sleep
Stage I NREM Sleep:
• Early drowsiness :slow activity and drop out of
  alpha.
• Trains of 2-3Hz and 4-7Hz waves diffusely
  prominent.
• Paradoxical Alpha: If patient aroused in this
  stage, posterior alpha activity reappears with a
  higher amplitude than individuals regular
  rhythm.
• Deep drowsiness: Vertex waves
 ▫ Small spiky discharge of positive polarity followed
   by a large negative wave.
 ▫ Maximum at the vertex.
 ▫ Physiologic.
Positive Occipital Sharp Transients
of Sleep (POSTS):



• Physiologic potentials of deep drowsiness.
• In stage II and III NREM
• Spontaneous monophasic triangular waves in
  the occipital region.
NREM stage II:
• Slow and fast frequencies: back ground
  frequency, high intraindividual variation.
• Sleep spindles: rhythmic waves of 12-
  14Hz, amplitude gradually increases and then
  gradually decreases.
• Frontocentral in location.
• With deep sleep frequency slows down to 6-
  10Hz.
• Vertex sharp waves:
• K complexes: Seen in Stage II, III IV NREM
  sleep.
 ▫ Frontal and central region
• Initial sharp component followed by a slow
  component.
• Sharp component is biphasic.
• Slow component represented by large waves
  followed by superimposed spindles representing
  fast component.
Stage III NREM Sleep:
• Background activity shows delta frequency (0.7-
  3Hz).
• Rhythmic 5-9Hz low voltage activity.
• Sleep spindles- less prominent
• K complexes.
Stage IV NREM Sleep:
• Prominent Delta activity.
• Sleep spindles and K complexes are rare.
• Arousal at this stage associated with sleep
  disorders.
 ▫ Somnambulism
 ▫ Nocturnal terror
 ▫ Enuresis
REM sleep:
•   Seldom recorded in routine EEG.
•   Low voltage polyrhythmic activity.
•   Ocular potentials.
•   Alpha bursts.
•   Arousal from sleep:
    ▫ Quick process
    ▫ Single and sharp K complexes followed by
      immediate change to awake pattern.
EEG in Newborn:
• Electrical activity of brain is discontinuous with
  long periods of quiescence – trace discontinua.
  ▫ < 34 wks GA
• Trace alterenant – semi periodic voltage
  attenuation.
• Hemisphere synchrony is less in preterms.
• Beta – Delta complexes : Hall mark of
  prematurity(24-38wks).
• Temporal theta bursts: mid temporally B/L
• Frontal sharp waves: 35-44wks, found in
  transitional stage of sleep, B/L synchronous.
GA                24 to 27wks    28 to 31wks        32 to 35 wks       36 to 41 wks


Trace             +              +                  +NREM              -
discontinua
Trace alternant   -              -                  -                  +NREM
Continuous        -              -                  +                  +awake &REM
Symmetry          -              -                  +occipital         +
Sleep awake       -              -                  +                  +
diff
Post. Basic       -              -                  -                  -
rhythm
Awake slow        High voltage   Very slow          Occipital          Slow delta
activity          bursts
Fast activity     Small B of 16Hz Frequent ripple 16-20Hz              sparse
Sleep slow/fast   slow           Slow+little fast   Irreg.slow in oc   Delta, theta
Sharp waves       bursts         intermittent       +                  Minor sharp
                                                                       bursts
Spindles, K       -              -                  -                  -
comp, vertex
sharp, frontal
Infants (2mo to 12mo):
•   2-3.5Hz, 50-100µV irregular delta activity.
•   Stable 5hz occipital rhythm by 5 mo.
•   6-7Hz by 12 mo
•   Photic driving response @ 3-4mo (theta range).
•   EEG changes of drowsiness by 5mo.
•   Hypnogogic hypersynchrony: prominent thea
    activity(4-6Hz) over centroparietal region seen
    during drowsiness.
•   NREM: 0.7-3Hz,100-150µV occipital waves.
•   Sleep spindles appear at 2mo.
•   Sharp spindle configuration.
•   Absence of spindles at 3 to 8 mo – abnormal
•   Vertex waves and K complex – 5th mo.
•   REM: 5% at birth, 40% at 3-5mo, 30% at 6mo.
•   Sharp occipital activity of 2-4Hz
12-36 moths:
• Posterior occipital rhythm: 6-7 Hz at 2nd yr, 7-
  8Hz at 3rd yr.
• Eye opening associated with biphasic occipital
  rhythm.
• 18-25Hz fast activity s/o mild CP.
• Generalized slow voltage(4-6HZ) activity during
  drowsiness- hypnogogic theta activity.
• NREM: high voltage 1-3Hz and medium voltage
  4-6Hz activity mainly in the occipital region.
• Vertex waves are seen, K complexes abundantly
  present.
• POSTS are poorly developed.
• Arousal: high voltage 4-6Hz superimposed with
  slower frequency.
• Prolonged frontal sharps waves between 2-12 yrs
  –abnormal.
3-5 years:
• Posterior basic rhythm reaches to alpha range.
• Slow fused transients: Posterior slow activity
  may be preceded by sharp contoured potentials.
• Rolandic Mu waves starts appearing.
• Hypnogogic theta activity is not seen.
• Posterior slowing of theta to delta range appears
  in drowsiness.
• 6 and 14Hz spikes may appear and disappear
  during deep drowsiness.
• Well defined spindles and K complexes, POSTS
  poorly developed.
6-12 years:
• Posterior alpha rhythm reaches 10H by 10 years.
• Rolandic rhythm rises and peaks by 13-15yrs.
• Anterior rhythmical theta (6-7Hz) appears by 6-
  12yrs and peaks by 13-15yrs.
• Hyperventilation: 1.5-4Hz slowing.
• Drowsiness characterized by gradual alpha drop
  out.
• Vertex waves, spindles, K complexes are
  seen, POSTS start to appear.
13-20 years:
 • Only subtle difference between children and
   adolescent
 • Amplitude of alpha is slightly less than children.
 • Fast activity is seen in the fronto-central area.
 • Rolandic mu waves sometimes seen.
 • Mature occipital lamda waves.
 • Anterior 6-7Hz theta activity falls after 15 years.
 • Response to hyperventilation is less prominent
   than children.
 • IPS reveals photic driving response in medium
   and fast range of flicker(6-20Hz)
• Voltage of K complex and sleep spindles are
  higher.
• POSTS are abundant in stage II NREM sleep.
OLD age:
• Normal healthy pattern seen till 60-70 years.
• Alpha slowing: MC finding in old age.(9Hz).
 ▫ Poor alpha blocking
 ▫ Related to decline in mental function.
• Increased fast activity: suggest well preserved
  mental faculty.
• Diffuse slowing: 1.5-2Hz, anterior
  bradyarrythmia.
 ▫ Normal or may be associated with vascular
   ds, headache, dementia, ataxia.
• Diffuse slowing may be seen in hypotension.
• Focal alteration:
 ▫ Minimal temporal slow waves : dizziness, head
   ache.
 ▫ Burst of rhythmical temporal theta: CVA
 ▫ Temporal slow & sharp waves: Vertibrobasilar
   insufficiency.
• Wicket spikes seen during sleep(6Hz spikes with
  negative component)
Eeg wave pattern

Eeg wave pattern

  • 1.
    Normal EEG WavePattern Dr.Roopchand.PS Senior Resident(Academic) Dept. Of Neurology TDMC Alappuzha
  • 2.
    Normal EEG: • Varietyof wave forms. ▫ Frequency ▫ Amplitude ▫ Spatial distribution ▫ Reactivity to different stimuli • The frequency of clinically relevant EEG between 0.3 to 70Hz
  • 3.
    TYPES: • EEG Wavesare named on the basis of their frequency range. • Delta – Below 3.5 HZ ( 0.1-3.5Hz) • Theta – 4 to & 7.5Hz • Alpha – 8 to 13 Hz • Beta – Above 13Hz (14-40Hz)
  • 4.
    • The voltageof the EEG signal determines its amplitude. • Normal range is between 10 to 100µV. • Amplitude is measured from peak to peak. ▫ Called range • A specific frequency band has a defined amplitude range. • More than 50% amplitude difference between two homologous brain areas in two hemispheres is abnormal.
  • 5.
    Alpha Rhythm: • Frequencyof 8-13Hz ▫ During wakefulness ▫ Over posterior regions of the head. • Amplitude < 50µV. • Best seen with eyes closed and physical and mental relaxation. • Attenuated by attension ▫ Visual or mental effort.
  • 6.
    • 60% individualsalpha amplitude range between 20 -60µV, 28% below 20 and 6% above 60µV. • Amplitude higher on the right. • Morphology : rounded or sinusoidal. • Spatial distribution: Posterior half of the head. ▫ Occipital, Parietal, posterior temporal. • Alpha reactivity ▫ Eye opening, sensory stimuli, mental activity.
  • 7.
    • Three typesof alpha waves. ▫ P- persistent ▫ R- responsive ▫ M- minimal • Origin of alpha waves: thalamus, cortex and corticothalamic reverberating circuits.
  • 8.
    Beta Rhythm: • Anyrhythmical EEG activity above 13HZ. ▫ 18-25Hz(common), 14-16Hz(less common), 35- 40Hz(rare). • Amplitude 10 - 20µV • Spatial distribution: ▫ Frontal beta: common, very fast, no relationship to physiological rhythm. ▫ Central beta: mixed with rolandic mu rhythm, blocked by tactile stimuli. ▫ Posterior beta: fast alpha equivalent, blocked by eye opening. ▫ Diffuse beta: fast, no relationship to physiological rhythm.
  • 9.
    • The voltageof Beta is the first to reduce in cortical injury, subdural or epidural collection. • Very fast activity > 35Hz seen in organic psychosis. • Beta depression may occur transiently after focal seizures.
  • 10.
    Theta rhythm: • Frequency between 4 – 8Hz. • Amplitude below 15mV • Present in frontocentral area. • Augmented by emotional stress and mental task. • Temporal theta with episodic delta rise - abnormal
  • 11.
    Mu rhythm: • Rhythm of alpha frequency. • In young adults • Arch like morphology. • Blocked by motor movement. • Not affected by eye opening. • Blocked by mental arithmetic.
  • 12.
    Lambda rhythm: • Sharptransients occuring over the occipital region. ▫ During awake state. ▫ During visual exploration. • 50µV amplitude, 200-300msec duration. • Related to occulomotor visual integration and arousal mechanism.
  • 13.
    Sleep EEG: • NREMSleep: ▫ I Drowsiness ▫ II Light sleep ▫ III Deep sleep ▫ IV Very deep sleep • REM sleep
  • 14.
    Stage I NREMSleep: • Early drowsiness :slow activity and drop out of alpha. • Trains of 2-3Hz and 4-7Hz waves diffusely prominent. • Paradoxical Alpha: If patient aroused in this stage, posterior alpha activity reappears with a higher amplitude than individuals regular rhythm.
  • 15.
    • Deep drowsiness:Vertex waves ▫ Small spiky discharge of positive polarity followed by a large negative wave. ▫ Maximum at the vertex. ▫ Physiologic.
  • 16.
    Positive Occipital SharpTransients of Sleep (POSTS): • Physiologic potentials of deep drowsiness. • In stage II and III NREM • Spontaneous monophasic triangular waves in the occipital region.
  • 17.
    NREM stage II: •Slow and fast frequencies: back ground frequency, high intraindividual variation. • Sleep spindles: rhythmic waves of 12- 14Hz, amplitude gradually increases and then gradually decreases. • Frontocentral in location. • With deep sleep frequency slows down to 6- 10Hz.
  • 18.
    • Vertex sharpwaves: • K complexes: Seen in Stage II, III IV NREM sleep. ▫ Frontal and central region • Initial sharp component followed by a slow component. • Sharp component is biphasic. • Slow component represented by large waves followed by superimposed spindles representing fast component.
  • 20.
    Stage III NREMSleep: • Background activity shows delta frequency (0.7- 3Hz). • Rhythmic 5-9Hz low voltage activity. • Sleep spindles- less prominent • K complexes.
  • 21.
    Stage IV NREMSleep: • Prominent Delta activity. • Sleep spindles and K complexes are rare. • Arousal at this stage associated with sleep disorders. ▫ Somnambulism ▫ Nocturnal terror ▫ Enuresis
  • 22.
    REM sleep: • Seldom recorded in routine EEG. • Low voltage polyrhythmic activity. • Ocular potentials. • Alpha bursts. • Arousal from sleep: ▫ Quick process ▫ Single and sharp K complexes followed by immediate change to awake pattern.
  • 23.
    EEG in Newborn: •Electrical activity of brain is discontinuous with long periods of quiescence – trace discontinua. ▫ < 34 wks GA • Trace alterenant – semi periodic voltage attenuation. • Hemisphere synchrony is less in preterms. • Beta – Delta complexes : Hall mark of prematurity(24-38wks). • Temporal theta bursts: mid temporally B/L
  • 24.
    • Frontal sharpwaves: 35-44wks, found in transitional stage of sleep, B/L synchronous.
  • 25.
    GA 24 to 27wks 28 to 31wks 32 to 35 wks 36 to 41 wks Trace + + +NREM - discontinua Trace alternant - - - +NREM Continuous - - + +awake &REM Symmetry - - +occipital + Sleep awake - - + + diff Post. Basic - - - - rhythm Awake slow High voltage Very slow Occipital Slow delta activity bursts Fast activity Small B of 16Hz Frequent ripple 16-20Hz sparse Sleep slow/fast slow Slow+little fast Irreg.slow in oc Delta, theta Sharp waves bursts intermittent + Minor sharp bursts Spindles, K - - - - comp, vertex sharp, frontal
  • 26.
    Infants (2mo to12mo): • 2-3.5Hz, 50-100µV irregular delta activity. • Stable 5hz occipital rhythm by 5 mo. • 6-7Hz by 12 mo • Photic driving response @ 3-4mo (theta range). • EEG changes of drowsiness by 5mo. • Hypnogogic hypersynchrony: prominent thea activity(4-6Hz) over centroparietal region seen during drowsiness.
  • 27.
    NREM: 0.7-3Hz,100-150µV occipital waves. • Sleep spindles appear at 2mo. • Sharp spindle configuration. • Absence of spindles at 3 to 8 mo – abnormal • Vertex waves and K complex – 5th mo. • REM: 5% at birth, 40% at 3-5mo, 30% at 6mo. • Sharp occipital activity of 2-4Hz
  • 28.
    12-36 moths: • Posterioroccipital rhythm: 6-7 Hz at 2nd yr, 7- 8Hz at 3rd yr. • Eye opening associated with biphasic occipital rhythm. • 18-25Hz fast activity s/o mild CP. • Generalized slow voltage(4-6HZ) activity during drowsiness- hypnogogic theta activity. • NREM: high voltage 1-3Hz and medium voltage 4-6Hz activity mainly in the occipital region.
  • 29.
    • Vertex wavesare seen, K complexes abundantly present. • POSTS are poorly developed. • Arousal: high voltage 4-6Hz superimposed with slower frequency. • Prolonged frontal sharps waves between 2-12 yrs –abnormal.
  • 30.
    3-5 years: • Posteriorbasic rhythm reaches to alpha range. • Slow fused transients: Posterior slow activity may be preceded by sharp contoured potentials. • Rolandic Mu waves starts appearing. • Hypnogogic theta activity is not seen. • Posterior slowing of theta to delta range appears in drowsiness. • 6 and 14Hz spikes may appear and disappear during deep drowsiness. • Well defined spindles and K complexes, POSTS poorly developed.
  • 31.
    6-12 years: • Posterioralpha rhythm reaches 10H by 10 years. • Rolandic rhythm rises and peaks by 13-15yrs. • Anterior rhythmical theta (6-7Hz) appears by 6- 12yrs and peaks by 13-15yrs. • Hyperventilation: 1.5-4Hz slowing. • Drowsiness characterized by gradual alpha drop out. • Vertex waves, spindles, K complexes are seen, POSTS start to appear.
  • 32.
    13-20 years: •Only subtle difference between children and adolescent • Amplitude of alpha is slightly less than children. • Fast activity is seen in the fronto-central area. • Rolandic mu waves sometimes seen. • Mature occipital lamda waves. • Anterior 6-7Hz theta activity falls after 15 years. • Response to hyperventilation is less prominent than children. • IPS reveals photic driving response in medium and fast range of flicker(6-20Hz)
  • 33.
    • Voltage ofK complex and sleep spindles are higher. • POSTS are abundant in stage II NREM sleep.
  • 34.
    OLD age: • Normalhealthy pattern seen till 60-70 years. • Alpha slowing: MC finding in old age.(9Hz). ▫ Poor alpha blocking ▫ Related to decline in mental function. • Increased fast activity: suggest well preserved mental faculty. • Diffuse slowing: 1.5-2Hz, anterior bradyarrythmia. ▫ Normal or may be associated with vascular ds, headache, dementia, ataxia.
  • 35.
    • Diffuse slowingmay be seen in hypotension. • Focal alteration: ▫ Minimal temporal slow waves : dizziness, head ache. ▫ Burst of rhythmical temporal theta: CVA ▫ Temporal slow & sharp waves: Vertibrobasilar insufficiency. • Wicket spikes seen during sleep(6Hz spikes with negative component)