The effect of alpha rhythms of the brain on the nervous system

What is the alpha rhythm of the brain? This is the rhythm of electrical brain activity on the electroencephalogram frequency in the range of 7 to 14 Hz. The amplitude of the alpha-wave oscillations is approximately 5-100 μV.The alpha state of the brain is observed in a calm state and during a fast sleep period. Occipital lobes support the generation of alpha waves and during wakefulness. Hypnosis, meditation, closing eyes lead to an increase in the amplitude of alpha waves.

Alpha-rhythm value for the brain

Alpha brain waves are low-frequency and occur during a period of calm. They appear due to the synchronous generation by the driver-cells of the rhythm( pacemakers) in the thalamus and the cortex of a weak electric current with the same frequency.

It is believed that finding the brain in the alpha state helps rebuild the central nervous system and relieve the stress accumulated during the day. During this period, the activation of the parasympathetic system takes place. It is the alpha rhythms that set up the body to restore and accumulate resources after hard work.

Doctors-psychotherapists and hypnologists, neuroscientists believe that many outstanding discoveries of science scientists have made it in the state of alpha rhythm. Hypnotherapists, introducing the patient into this mode of operation of the central nervous system, treat dependencies and chronic diseases associated with stress.

What activates alpha rhythms?

Why alpha-rhythms are needed:

1. Recycling of the information received for the day.
2. Restore the body's resources by activating the parasympathetic system.
3. Improvement of cerebral circulation.
4. Excessive activity of the limbic system is inhibited.
5. Elimination of the effects of stress( vasoconstriction, decreased immunity).

Alpha rhythms created by the brain at rest, activate the trophotropic function of the hypothalamus, aimed at restorative processes in tissues. They also soothe the overexcited limbic system, which is responsible for the basic needs of the body. It is the pathological overexcitation of the limbic system, according to neuroscientists, that leads to abuse and dependency. Among such disorders, you can note an increase in appetite up to bulimia, a propensity to drink alcohol and drugs, smoking. Also characterized by violations of the menstrual cycle, diseases of the glands that produce hormones.

With decreasing alpha activity of the brain, a person is more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases( hypertension, angina pectoris), decreased immunity, oncology. At the same time in people with insufficient generation of alpha waves, the brain is dominated by negative thinking. Such individuals are prone to fixing on their problems, which makes it difficult to find productive solutions.

Alpha rhythm in norm and pathology of

When the EEG( electroencephalogram) is performed, the alpha brain rhythm index is estimated, the norm of which is 75-95%.With a decrease of less than 50%, they speak of pathology. The amplitude of alpha rhythm drops sharply at the age of 60 years. This is due primarily to the violation of cerebral circulation. The amplitude of the waves is 20-90 μV.

In many brain diseases, such as epilepsy, narcolepsy, essential hypertension, there is asymmetry in the alpha-rhythm in the left and right hemispheres, both in frequency and in amplitude. This indicates a violation of interhemispheric integration. Hypertensive disease is characterized by a decrease in the frequency of alpha rhythms of the brain. With oligophrenia, the activity of alpha rhythms is increased.

Violation of alpha-rhythm synchronization also speaks of pathology. In narcolepsy, hypersynchronization is noted. Reduction in the amplitude( depression) of alpha waves occurs with light stimulation, conducted to assess the integration of the response of the cortex and subcortical formations to stimulation.

Asymmetry between the left and right hemispheres of more than 30% may indicate the presence in one of the hemispheres cysts, tumors, damage to the corpus callosum. The arcuate and paroxysmal alpha rhythm is a pathology. With hypertension, the spindle of spindle-shaped rhythm can be smoothed.

If the EEG in the frontal lobe does not disappear with alpha rhythm with closed eyes, then there may be an injury in these places. Alpha rhythm can disappear with cerebral sclerosis and blindness, acquired dementia( Alzheimer's disease).Violation of blood circulation reduces the activity and amplitude of alpha waves.

Evaluate alpha activity in vegetative-vascular dystonia, suspected congenital or acquired dementia, trauma and brain tumors. Assign EEG with frequent fainting, osteochondrosis, headaches, high blood pressure, frequent vomiting. The neuropathologist prescribes the study, which deciphers the results.