Intermittent rhythmic delta activity patterns

Abstract

Intermittent rhythmic delta activity is a typical EEG pattern that was originally described by W.A. Cobb in 1945 (J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatr 1945;8:65-78). It may be classified into three distinct forms according to the main cortical region involved on the EEG: frontal (FIRDA), temporal (TIRDA), and occipital (OIRDA) intermittent delta activity. This article is a review of the main aspects of these patterns, with a special focus on EEG features and problems that may be encountered during interpretation of these patterns. In contrast to FIRDA and OIRDA, TIRDA is highly indicative of ipsilateral pathology. OIRDA and TIRDA are highly correlated with epilepsy, whereas FIRDA is a rather nonspecific EEG pattern.