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Delta wave
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==Classification and features== {{Update|section|date=February 2022|reason=As of 2007, what was formerly known as Stage 3 and Stage 4 sleep was reclassified as one stage of sleep ([[deep sleep]]) to reflect the contemporary scientific consensus}} Delta waves, like all brain waves, can be detected by [[electroencephalography]] (EEG). Delta waves were originally defined as having a frequency between 1 and 4 [[hertz|Hz]], although more recent classifications put the boundaries at between 0.5 and 2 Hz. They are the slowest and highest amplitude classically described brainwaves, although recent studies have described slower (<0.1 Hz) oscillations<ref>Hiltunen T1, Kantola J, Abou Elseoud A, Lepola P, Suominen K, Starck T, Nikkinen J, Remes J, Tervonen O, Palva S, Kiviniemi V, Palva JM. (2014). "Infra-slow EEG fluctuations are correlated with resting-state network dynamics in fMRI". [Article]. ''The Journal of Neuroscience'', 34(2): 356β362.</ref> Delta waves begin to appear in stage 3 sleep, but by stage 4 nearly all spectral activity is dominated by delta waves. Stage 3 sleep is defined as having less than 50% delta wave activity, while stage 4 sleep has more than 50% delta wave activity. These stages have recently been combined and are now collectively referred to as [[Sleep#NREM sleep|stage]] N3 slow-wave sleep.<ref>"Glossary. A resource from the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Produced in partnership with WGBH Educational Foundation". Harvard University. 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-11. "The 1968 categorization of the combined Sleep Stages 3β4 was reclassified in 2007 as Stage N3."</ref> During N3 SWS, delta waves account for 20% or more of the EEG record during this stage.<ref>Iber C, Ancoli-Israel S, Chesson A, and Quan SF for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. ''The AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events: Rules, Terminology and Technical Specifications'', 1st ed.: Westchester, Illinois: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2007.</ref> Delta waves occur in all mammals, and potentially all animals as well. Delta waves are often associated with another EEG phenomenon, the [[K-complex]]. K-Complexes have been shown to immediately precede delta waves in slow wave sleep.<ref>De Gennaro, L., Ferrara, M., & Bertini, M. (2000). "The spontaneous K-complex during stage 2 sleep: is it the 'forerunner' of delta waves?" [Article]. ''Neuroscience Letters'', 291(1), 41β43.</ref> Delta waves have also been classified according to the location of the activity into frontal (FIRDA), temporal (TIRDA), and occipital (OIRDA) intermittent delta activity.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Brigo F |title=Intermittent rhythmic delta activity patterns |journal=Epilepsy & Behavior |volume=20 |issue=2 |pages=254β6 |year=2011 |pmid=21276757 |doi=10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.11.009 |s2cid=11689350 |type=Review}}</ref>
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