Which type of EEG activity is considered normal in infants but abnormal in adults?

Delta waves during awake states are typically considered a normal finding in infants due to their developing brains, which show different patterns of electrical activity compared to adults. Infants often exhibit delta activity while they are awake, reflecting their unique neurodevelopmental processes. This is normal as their brain is still maturing and adapting to the external environment.

In contrast, the presence of delta waves in adults during awake states is generally regarded as abnormal. Adult brains should primarily display frequencies such as alpha and beta waves when alert and awake. An adult exhibiting delta waves while awake could be indicative of pathological conditions such as encephalopathy or other forms of brain dysfunction.

Understanding this distinction helps to highlight the differences in neurological development between infants and adults, reinforcing that what is typical for a developing brain may differ significantly from what is expected in a fully developed adult brain.