DIFFUSE CORTICAL ACTIVATION WAVES DURING SO-CALLED DESYNCHRONIZED EEG PATTERNS

Abstract

The authors made simultaneous recordings of the cortical waves and the unitary discharges of the cerebral cortex in cats The existence of diffuse activation waves in the low voltage EEG [electroencephalographic] tracings was demonstrated both in the wakeful state and during low voltage fast sleep. These waves are surface-positive and accompanied by cellular discharges. Their occurrence coincided with movements. An electrical phenomenon in every respect comparable to the activation wave was evoked by stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation. There is reason to believe that most activation waves escape detection when usual EEG derivations are used.