Computer analysis of the electroencephalographic activity of the Caiman olfactory bulb

Bipolar EEG records of olfactory activity of Caiman sclerops were computer analyzed and the derived power spectral density functions (PSD) were statistically compared by the method of Bendat and Piersol (1971) and Fails and Verlander (1977). These recordings included surface and underwater episodes. The Caiman olfactory EEG may legitimately be divided into four types of activity: a spindle form of high amplitude and long duration (1-3 sec), a spindle of lower amplitude, short duration (less than 1 sec) and significantly lower power generation irregular surface background activity, and an irregular underwater activity. PSD analysis showed a great deal of moment-to-moment variability in both quantity of power generated and the frequency regions containing significant power generation during surface background activity. A statistical comparison of surface background and underwater background activity also showed significant differences.