Alpha Blocking and Autonomic Responses in Neurological Patients

Abstract

Since Durup and Fessard¹ originally reported in 1935 that simple pairing of a sound and a light rendered the former stimulus effective in producing EEG desynchronization, numerous investigators^2-6 have shown effects suggesting conditioning of alpha blocking to a previously inadequate stimulus. The impression has been promulgated that conditioning of the alpha blocking response is easy and unequivocal. Recent investigations, particularly those related to the orienting response,^* suggest that another look should be taken at this area. Present data would appear to indicate that the alpha blocking responses reported are more likely manifestations of the reappearance of the orienting response to a novel stimulus, rather than true conditioning. In support of this viewpoint Stern et al,⁸ using the conventional one-second interval between onset of conditional stimulus (CS) and onset of unconditional stimulus (UCS), demonstrated that the curve showing "alpha conditioning" looked more like an adaptation curve than a