Table 1.

Typical nomenclature for frequency bands within the EEG

Name of frequency band	Frequency band (in Hertz)
Slow wave (sometimes also named Delta)	0–1 Hz
Delta	1–4 Hz (but sometimes 0–4 Hz)
Theta	4–8 Hz
Alpha	8–12 Hz, also called mu, if recorded from motor cortex
Sigma	12–14 Hz; often the frequency band for sleep spindles during physiologic sleep
Beta	Generally 12–30 Hz (or 14–30 Hz), but also Low Beta (< 20 Hz) High Beta (20–30 Hz)
Gamma	>30 Hz (up to 100 Hz)

In patients who do show a typical concentration-response effect in their frontal EEG, the EEG can be used to guide titration of anesthetic dosing to prevent both insufficient and possibly excessive anesthetic dosing. EEG = electroencephalogram