Ken Martens <martensk at cadvision.com> wrote:
> An earlier posting indicated that "consciousness naturally occurs at 40
> hertz." I am a layman in this area but I recall some reference to
> consciousness occurring at 20 (not 40) hertz. I don't really know what
> it means for consciousness to "occur" at 40 or at 20 hertz.
> Are there any studies/references that anyone could direct me to so that
> I would have a better understanding of the topic?
These might be helpful for a start (not necessarily the utmost
classics):
Database: Medline <1966 to present>
<1>
Authors
Yordanova J. Kolev V. Demiralp T.
Title
The phase-locking of auditory gamma band responses in
humans is sensitive to task processing.
Source
Neuroreport. 8(18):3999-4004, 1997 Dec 22.
<2>
Authors
Steriade M. Timofeev I. Durmuller N. Grenier F.
Title
Dynamic properties of corticothalamic neurons and local
cortical interneurons generating fast rhythmic (30-40 Hz)
spike bursts.
Source
Journal of Neurophysiology. 79(1):483-90, 1998 Jan.
<3>
Authors
Tiitinen H. May P. Naatanen R.
Title
The transient 40-Hz response, mismatch negativity, and
attentional processes in humans. [Review] [52 refs]
Source
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological
Psychiatry. 21(5):751-71, 1997 Jul.
<4>
Authors
Basar-Eroglu C. Struber D. Schurmann M. Stadler M.
Basar E.
Title
Gamma-band responses in the brain: a short review of
psychophysiological correlates and functional significance.
[Review] [69 refs]
Source
International Journal of Psychophysiology. 24(1-2):101-12,
1996 Nov.
<5>
Authors
Jefferys JG. Traub RD. Whittington MA.
Title
Neuronal networks for induced '40 Hz' rhythms [see
comments].
Source
Trends in Neurosciences. 19(5):202-8, 1996 May.
<6>
Authors
Steriade M. Contreras D. Amzica F. Timofeev I.
Title
Synchronization of fast (30-40 Hz) spontaneous oscillations
in intrathalamic and thalamocortical networks.
Source
Journal of Neuroscience. 16(8):2788-808, 1996 Apr 15.
<7>
Authors
Steriade M. Amzica F.
Title
Intracortical and corticothalamic coherency of fast
spontaneous oscillations.
Source
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the
United States of America. 93(6):2533-8, 1996 Mar 19.
<8>
Authors
Steriade M. Amzica F. Contreras D.
Title
Synchronization of fast (30-40 Hz) spontaneous cortical
rhythms during brain activation.
Source
Journal of Neuroscience. 16(1):392-417, 1996 Jan.
<9>
Authors
Steriade M.
Title
Brain activation, then (1949) and now: coherent fast
rhythms in corticothalamic networks. [Review] [69 refs]
Source
Archives Italiennes de Biologie. 134(1):5-20, 1995 Dec.
<10>
Authors
Desmedt JE. Tomberg C.
Title
Consciousness. [Review] [38 refs]
Source
Electroencephalography & Clinical Neurophysiology -
Supplement. 44:227-34, 1995.
<11>
Authors
Goertz R. Jokeit H. Kuchler E.
Title
Event related dynamics of 40 Hz electroencephalogram during
visual discrimination task.
Source
International Journal of Neuroscience. 79(3-4):267-73,
1994 Dec.
<12>
Authors
Desmedt JE. Tomberg C.
Title
Transient phase-locking of 40 Hz electrical oscillations in
prefrontal and parietal human cortex reflects the process
of conscious somatic perception.
Source
Neuroscience Letters. 168(1-2):126-9, 1994 Feb 28.
<13>
Authors
Pfurtscheller G. Neuper C. Kalcher J.
Title
40-Hz oscillations during motor behavior in man.
Source
Neuroscience Letters. 164(1-2):179-82, 1993 Dec 24.
<14>
Authors
Tiitinen H. Sinkkonen J. Reinikainen K. Alho K.
Lavikainen J. Naatanen R.
Title
Selective attention enhances the auditory 40-Hz transient
response in humans.
Source
Nature. 364(6432):59-60, 1993 Jul 1.
<15>
Authors
Steriade M. Dossi RC. Pare D. Oakson G.
Title
Fast oscillations (20-40 Hz) in thalamocortical systems and
their potentiation by mesopontine cholinergic nuclei in the
cat.
Source
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the
United States of America. 88(10):4396-400, 1991 May 15.
<16>
Authors
Basar E. Rosen B. Basar-Eroglu C. Greitschus F.
Title
The associations between 40 Hz-EEG and the middle latency
response of the auditory evoked potential.
Source
International Journal of Neuroscience. 33(1-2):103-17,
1987 Mar.
And yes, a 40 Hz rhythm relates to attention.
Dag Stenberg