Alpha Rhythm and Alpha-Like Activity in Coma

A normal waking EEG was obtained on a 22 year old man four days prior to cardiopulmonary arrest. Three days after resuscitation the EEG showed the pattern of alpha-like activity while the patient remained in deep coma. Since the EEGs were recorded by the same technician using the same 16 channel electroencephalograph and montages, it is possible to compare in the same individual these alpha-frequency activities before and after arrest. The alpha-like activity of coma does not resemble the waking alpha rhythm in amplitude, frequency, spatial distribution, variability and reactivity.