Alpha oscillations shed new light on relation between EEG and single neurons.

So far, alpha (10 Hz) oscillations in the EEG have mostly been regarded as 'idling rhythms'. Recent studies, however, imply that event-related alpha oscillations may have several functional correlates, among them sensory processes. In particular, stimulus-dependent 10 Hz oscillations in the EEG and at the cellular level (evoked by auditory and visual stimuli) share common features. Taking into account the role of such comparisons across levels for the interpretation of gamma oscillations, these data lend further support to the concept of functionally relevant alpha oscillations.