Neural Oscillations
Nearly 100 years ago, the german neurologist Hans Berger was the first the record a peculiar phenomenon in humans. Recording electric activity on the scalp of his son, he could observe a strong and regular 10 Hz rhythm.
Today we call this rhythm alpha, the strongest neuronal oscillation in humans (usually ~ 8 – 12 Hz). It can easily be recorded with electro- or magneto-encephalography such as EEG, MEG or OPM. Evidence on the critical role of alpha oscillations for normal brain functioning accumulated over the years, and yet it is still not fully understood. Involved in intercellular communication and information transmission, organisinging large neuronal network ensembles, neural oscillations organize information in the brain. However, how, when and to what degreee still remains a matter of controversy.
But alpha oscillations are not the only oscillations in the brain. There are many different rhythms and they all seem to fulfill seperate purposes. For example, during sleep a specific pattern is usually recordable consisting of very slow oscillatory activity and additionally fast, strong, intermittend activity called sleep spindles.
Uncovering the detailed functionality of brain oscillations is an important task, and will affect nearly all natural sciences. How does nature compute? What can we learn from this? What does it mean if a person shows unusual brain oscillations? Can we find new treatments for brain deseases? How does the brain create concious percepts? How are memories stored? Neuronal oscillations are an integral part of all of these questions, which is why it is so important to study them.