From the Guidelines
Delta waves in EEG recordings of youth are a normal finding, particularly during deep sleep, and their presence and amplitude decrease as the brain matures through childhood and adolescence. When interpreting EEG delta waves in youth, it is essential to consider the age of presentation, as the normal patterns of delta activity vary significantly across different age groups 1. In children and adolescents, delta activity (0.5-4 Hz) is normally more abundant, especially in the frontal regions of the brain, and this heightened delta activity gradually decreases as the brain matures through childhood and adolescence 1. Some key points to consider when evaluating EEG delta waves in youth include:
- Delta activity is normally more prominent during deep sleep in children and adolescents
- The amplitude and prevalence of delta waves decrease as the brain matures through childhood and adolescence
- Excessive delta activity in awake youth might indicate pathology such as epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, or developmental disorders 1
- Robust delta waves during normal sleep represent healthy slow-wave sleep that is crucial for memory consolidation, growth hormone release, and overall brain development in the pediatric population. The Italian Association of Sleep Medicine and other researchers have voiced concerns and suggestions regarding the visual scoring of sleep and the rules for scoring cortical arousals from NREM 3, including the scoring of EEG shifts into delta frequencies 1. However, the current evidence suggests that delta waves in EEG recordings of youth are a normal finding, particularly during deep sleep, and their presence and amplitude decrease as the brain matures through childhood and adolescence.
From the Research
EEG Delta in Youth
- EEG delta waves are a type of brain wave that is typically observed during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, with a frequency range of 0.5-4 Hz 2.
- Research has shown that delta waves play a crucial role in physical and mental health functions, including sleep regulation and cognitive development 2.
- Studies have investigated the characteristics of delta waves in different populations, including youth, to better understand their role in sleep and brain development.
Age of Presentation
- The age of presentation for EEG delta waves in youth is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but research suggests that delta waves are present during NREM sleep in individuals of all ages, including adolescents and young adults 3, 4, 5.
- One study found that adolescents with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD) had altered sleep patterns, including decreased total sleep time and sleep efficiency, but the study did not specifically examine EEG delta waves in this population 6.
- Another study examined the neural correlates of delta activity during NREM sleep in young adults and found that delta power was negatively correlated with regional cerebral blood flow in certain brain regions, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the basal forebrain 5.
EEG Delta Characteristics
- Research has shown that EEG delta waves have distinct characteristics, including a frontocentral gradient, which is observed in both baseline and recovery sleep 3.
- Delta waves have also been found to be associated with sleep regulation, including the homeostatic process underlying sleep regulation, and have been shown to increase after sleep deprivation 3.
- The spectral components of EEG delta waves have also been examined, with research showing that delta power is reduced in individuals with insomnia, including those with sleep state misperception and those without 4.