[Determination of inhibition habituation in the alpha rhythm (eyes open)]

Luria used the term habituation for the phenomenon that the so-called orientation reflex to a certain stimulus is lost when the stimulus is repeated. In the present investigation habituation was tested by opening the eyes during conventional EEG. During the examination the patient was asked twelve times to open and close the eyes. Thus 730 patients aged 4 to 65 years were examined. Habituation developed in 542 patients and was absent in 188. Most frequently it developed between the 7th and 10th opening of the eyes, most frequently after the ninth. It seems thus that habituation of the alpha rhythm after this repetition is a normal bioelektrcical phenomenon and earlier, later or absent habituation is a deviation from the bioelectric norm.