What are Delta Waves and what do they do?

Question

What are Delta Waves and what do they do?

Answer 1

A delta wave is a high amplitude brain wave with a frequency of 1-4 Hertz which can be recorded with an electroencephalogram[1] (EEG) and is usually associated with slow-wave sleep.

Delta wave activity occurs most frequently during stage 4 non-rapid eye movement sleep accounting for 50% or more of the EEG record during this stage.[2]

Effects

Large amounts of delta wave activity are not common in healthy adults during the waking state. However multiple studies have indicated the presence of increased delta activity in adults during states of intoxication or delirium and those diagnosed with dementia or schizophrenia[5]