ALPHA INCREASE IN PUERPERIUM

Significant increases of both alpha peak amplitude and power were found in the EEG after delivery as compared to those observed at the 32nd week of pregnancy. Controls failed to display the same gain in the alpha rhythm. The frequency was unaffected. Beside these quantitative changes no particular EEG pattern occurred. Neither the methodology nor habituation were considered responsible for these increases, which are also independent of the prolactin levels, because they were observable after blockage by bromocryptine, a drug which also fails to modify the EEG. Significant reduction of anxiety, tension and irritability was scored in the Hamiltonian test for depression. It is likely that both aspects depend on a common humoral process. The role of the progesterone drop is discussed. © 1979.