Gamma waves

A gamma wave is a pattern of brain waves, associated with perception and consciousness. Gamma waves are produced when masses of neurons emit electrical signals at the rate of around 40 times a second (40 hertz or Hz), but can often be between 26 and upwards of 70 Hz. By one definition, gamma waves are manifest at 24 Hz and higher, though researchers have recognized that higher level cognitive activities occur when lower frequency gamma waves suddenly double into the 40 Hz range. Research has shown gamma waves are continuously present during low voltage fast neocortical activity (LVFA), which occurs during the process of awakening and during active rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Some researchers do not distinguish gamma waves as a distinct class but include them in beta brain waves. Image File history File links Eeg_gamma. ... Image File history File links Eeg_gamma. ... Electroencephalography is the neurophysiologic measurement of the electrical activity of the brain by recording from electrodes placed on the scalp or, in special cases, on the cortex. ... PSYCHOLOGY In psychology and the cognitive sciences, perception is the process of acquiring, interpreting, selecting, and organizing sensory information. ... Consciousness is a quality of the mind generally regarded to comprise such key features as subjectivity, self-awareness, sentience, sapience, and the ability to perceive the relationship between oneself and ones environment. ... Neurons (also called nerve cells) are the primary cells of the nervous system. ... Rapid eye movement (REM) is the stage of sleep during which the most vivid (though not all) dreams occur. ... Beta is the frequency range of brain activity above 12 Hz (12 transitions or cycles per second). ...

Linked to higher reasoning faculties

Gamma waves are involved in higher mental activity. Transient periods of synchronized firing over the gamma waveband, of entire banks of neurons from different parts of the brain, have been proposed as a mechanism for bringing a distributed matrix of cognitive processes together to generate a coherent, concerted cognitive act, such as perception. For example, it has been suggested that gamma waves are associated with solving the binding problem. Recent studies have shown that recognition of new insights occur when patterns jump from 20 to 40 Hz. The binding problem is, basically, the problem of how the unity of conscious perception is brought about by the distributed activities of the central nervous system (Revonsuo and Newman (1999). ...

It is believed by neuroscientists that gamma activity occurs when various chemical messengers foster efficient communications across large swaths of brain tissue. Neuroscience is a field of study that deals with the structure, function, development, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology of the nervous system, divided into the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), and the peripheral nervous system, consisting of the myriad nerve pathways running throughout the body. ...

See also

• Holonomic brain theory
• Electroencephalography
• Delta wave
• Theta wave
• Alpha wave
• SMR
• Beta wave
• Epilepsy
• Sensory Integration Dysfunction

The holonomic brain theory, originated by Karl Pribram and initially developed in collaboration with David Bohm, suggests cognitive function is guided by a matrix of neurological wave interference patterns situated temporally between holographic Gestalt perception and discrete, affective, quantum vectors derived from reward anticipation potentials. ... Electroencephalography is the neurophysiologic measurement of the electrical activity of the brain by recording from electrodes placed on the scalp or, in special cases, on the cortex. ... A delta wave is a large, slow brain wave associated with deep sleep. ... In humans, a theta wave is an electroencephalogram pattern normally produced while awake but relaxed or drowsy. ... Alpha waves recorded by electroencephalography (EEG) are synchronous and coherent (regular like sawtooth) and in the frequency range of 8 - 12 Hz. ... Sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) is 12-15 Hz rhythm seen in EEG associated with inhibition of motor activity. ... Beta is the frequency range of brain activity above 12 Hz (12 transitions or cycles per second). ... This article contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ...

External links

• EpilepsyHealth.com - 'A Sampling from Chapter 3' Biofeedback, Neurofeedback and Epilepsy, Sally Fletcher (2005)
• Nature.com - 'Thinking in Synchrony', Henry Gee (February, 1999)

References

• Bruce Bower (2004). "Synchronized thinking. Brain activity linked to schizophrenia, skillful medication". Science News 166 (20): 310.
• Are neocortical gamma waves related to consciousness?. National Library of Medicine PubMed. URL accessed on June 16, 2005.

June 16 is the 167th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (168th in leap years), with 198 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Further reading

• Meditation Gives Brain a Charge, Study Finds. WashingtonPost.com. URL accessed on June 16, 2005.