Changes in the Low-Frequency Electroencephalogram Alpha Rhythm as an Indicator of the Degree of Recovery of Psychomotor Activity During Spontaneous Awakening from Daytime Sleep
According to data obtained from 14 healthy subjects, we studied the changes in the spectral characteristics of low-frequency alpha electroencephalogram oscillations during periods of partial and complete restoration of psychomotor activity after spontaneous arousal during daytime sleep. In the experiments, a continuously-discrete psychomotor test was used, during which the subjects carried out two successively alternating tasks: account for themselves from 1 to 10, followed by simultaneous button presses, and only account for themselves, without presses. Such a restoration of psychomotor activity was considered complete, in which the subject correctly performed at least two tasks, one each with and without presses. Behavioral indicator of the start of the test after waking up was the first click on the button. It was found that the full restoration of psychomotor activity is accompanied by a more pronounced low-frequency alpha rhythm widely distributed throughout the cortex. With a partial restoration, its characteristics are significantly lower and quickly return to the period that preceded the awakening. Before start pressing the button and then completely restoring the tasks that make up the test, the power of this rhythm is higher in the frontal areas than in cases with partial restoration. It can be assumed that the appearance of the alpha rhythm in the frontal areas, the advanced beginning of activity, creates conditions for its full recovery. Changes in the severity of low-frequency alpha activation can be used to assess the effectiveness of restoring cognitive activity after waking up. We assume that the cases of full and partial recovery of activity, which the subjects carried out earlier while falling asleep, are accompanied by different degrees of awareness of their actions during awakening.