Abstract
SIMULTANEOUS recordings were made of the alpha rhythm and eye opening in response to an auditory stimulus, using a standard electroencephalograph apparatus. By plotting the number of responses against the phase of the alpha rhythm, a curve was obtained which showed a variation of more than 2 to 1 in the number of responses in different parts of the cycle. The exact distribution of the responses was examined by means of an electronic timing device, which registered a point in the alpha cycle by a signal of short duration, and the eye opening by a similar signal. The time interval between the signals was then measured by recording the charge gained by a condenser. The measurements confirmed that the probability of a response was not randomly distributed in time, but showed peaks and troughs recurring at approximately 10 per second and in accurate phase relations with the alpha rhythm. Similar results were obtained for other voluntary movements.
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KIBBLER, G., BOREHAM, J. & RICHTER, D. Relation of the Alpha Rhythm of the Brain to Psychomotor Phenomena. Nature 164, 371 (1949). https://doi.org/10.1038/164371b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/164371b0
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