title: Scaling and organization of electroencephalographic background activity and alpha rhythm in healthy young adults.
abstract: The coexistence of the broad-band fluctuation and alpha rhythm of the brain dynamics is studied based on the zero-crossing property of the local electroencephalographic (EEG) recording in eyes closed and eyes open. A two-component zero-crossing scenario, consisting of a broad-band fractal and narrow-band rhythm components, is assumed. Scaling is found in the power law distribution p(tau) approximately tau(-nu) of the crossing time interval tau of the broad-band fluctuation. In alpha dominant brain state, the alpha rhythm interval L also exhibits scaling in the form of power law distribution: p(L) approximately L(phi). Our main result is the relationship nu + phi approximately 3 that characterizes the organization of these two prominent features of the brain dynamics. The possible role of self-organized criticality of punctuated equilibrium in this organization is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Mech. and Ind. Eng. Dept., Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada. derlin@ryerson.ca
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kwan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D012016:Reference Values; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors