title: DC-EEG recordings of mindfulness.
abstract: To assess the frequency spectrum of the normal waking human eyes-closed EEG while concentrating on a mental task.
  
  
  
  Ten adult normal volunteers listened to a CD encouraging mindfulness for one hour and five minutes while their EEG was recorded on a 128 channel DC based ANT system. The software package BESA Research version 6.1 was used for data analysis. The data were subjected to topographic display, frequency as well as independent component analysis.
  
  
  
  Near-DC activity that extended beyond one hour, as well as rhythmic wave durations ranging from about 10 to 35min, was observed in all subjects. For this task the major topographic distribution was mainly in frontal near midline areas and the inferior portions of the hemispheres.
  
  
  
  The study demonstrated that rhythms below the infraslow band, as well as a near-DC component, exist in the normal human EEG. Their significance for health and disease now needs to be explored.
  
  
  
  Since DC-based EEG/MEG systems are already in use by some laboratories, investigators are encouraged to include the exploration of these ultra-slow waves in the review of their data.
authors.affiliation: University of Utah, Department of Neurology, 175 N Medical Drive East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. Electronic address: e.rodin@utah.edu.
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodin
authors.affiliation: BESA, GmbH, Freihamer Str. 18, 82166 Graefelfing, Germany. Electronic address: harald.bornfleth@besa.de.
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bornfleth
authors.affiliation: University of Utah, Department of Psychiatry, 501 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Electronic address: michael.johnson@hsc.utah.edu.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D058256:Brain Waves; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness
keywords: DC-EEG; DC-shifts; Delta; Independent component analysis; Infraslow; Mindfulness; Yoga Nidra