Gamma rhythm

Assessment | Biopsychology | Comparative | Cognitive | Developmental | Language | Individual differences | Personality | Philosophy | Social |
Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |

Biological: Behavioural genetics · Evolutionary psychology · Neuroanatomy · Neurochemistry · Neuroendocrinology · Neuroscience · Psychoneuroimmunology · Physiological Psychology · Psychopharmacology (Index, Outline)

---

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.

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.

It is believed by neuroscientists that gamma activity occurs when various chemical messengers foster efficient communications across large swaths of brain tissue.

See also

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

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.
• Brain Waves ("40Hz") Research. Brain Waves ("40Hz") Research. URL accessed on June 16, 2005.
• Are neocortical gamma waves related to consciousness?. National Library of Medicine PubMed. URL accessed on June 16, 2005.

Further reading

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

{{enWP|