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Surfing Neural Waves
03 July 2018

Surfing Neural Waves

Brainwaves are more than just lightbulb moments. These neural patterns help coordinate the vast amount of information that flows through our brains. Also known as neural oscillations, brainwaves are rhythmic electrical pulses that travel through the brain and help to link various neural networks. Scientists have recently shed more light on the role these waves play in memory and cognition. When individuals are performing well on a memory task, the team found that two types of brain oscillations called theta and alpha waves travel in consistent patterns across the brain. With each colour representing a different direction, this image shows the average direction of these two waves as they move across the brain. This study is one of the few so far that have demonstrated how, and potentially why, brainwaves help connect different brain regions, ultimately allowing us to better interact with the world around us.

Written by Gaëlle Coullon

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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