Alpha-alpha waves generally are seen in all age groups but are most common in adults. they occur rhythmically on both sides of the head but are often slightly higher in amplitude on the nondominant side, especially in right-handed individuals. a normal alpha variant is noted when a harmonic of alpha frequency occurs in the posterior head regions. they tend to be present posteriorly more than anteriorly and are especially prominent with closed eyes and with relaxation.alpha activity disappears normally with attention (eg, mental arithmetic, stress, opening eyes). in most instances, it is regarded as a normal waveform.an abnormal exception is alpha coma, most often caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy of destructive processes in the pons (eg, intracerebral hemorrhage). in alpha coma, alpha waves are distributed uniformly both anteriorly and posteriorly in patients who are unresponsive to stimuli.
