Wicket waves are a type of brain wave pattern that occur in the alpha frequency range (7-11 Hz). They are so named because their appearance is reminiscent of cricket wickets—essentially a set of three vertical poles used in the sport. These waves typically appear as short, arch-like or "spike-and-wave" patterns on an EEG (electroencephalogram). However, there are several unique features that distinguish wicket waves from other types of brain waves, such as mu waves or epileptiform discharges.

Key Features of Wicket Waves

  • Frequency Range: Wicket waves fall within the alpha frequency range, usually between 7 and 11 Hz. This is the same frequency range as mu waves, but wicket waves tend to appear in the temporal chains (regions near the temporal lobes) instead of the sensorimotor cortex.
  • Appearance: Wicket waves are described as arch-like, meaning that they look like a smooth, curved spike followed by a rapid return to baseline, resembling the shape of a wicket in cricket.
  • No Aftergoing Slow Wave: Wicket waves do not have the aftergoing slow wave typically seen in epileptiform discharges. Epileptiform discharges have a high-amplitude spike followed by a slow wave, which is absent in wicket waves.
  • No Disturbance to Background Activity: Wicket waves do not disturb the overall background rhythm of the brain. They do not alter the baseline brain activity like epileptic discharges do.
  • Non-Evolving: Wicket waves remain consistent in appearance and frequency. They do not evolve into different patterns over time, unlike epileptiform discharges.

Why Wicket Waves Are Not Epileptiform

Although wicket waves can sometimes appear to be sharp or large in amplitude, they are not epileptiform discharges. The key distinctions are:

  • No Aftergoing Slow Wave: Wicket waves lack the slow wave typically seen after epileptiform spikes, a critical factor in distinguishing them from epileptic activity.
  • Stable Patterns: Epileptiform discharges tend to evolve over time, becoming more widespread or changing shape, while wicket waves are stable and consistent.
  • Non-Disruptive: Epileptic activity disrupts brain function and background EEG rhythms, while wicket waves do not disturb normal brain activity.

Clinical Relevance

Wicket waves are often seen in healthy individuals, especially children or adolescents, and are usually considered normal variants in the EEG. They can also appear in patients with neurological disorders, but their presence alone is not indicative of pathology or seizure activity. Understanding these waves helps avoid misdiagnosing them as epileptiform discharges and preventing unnecessary clinical interventions.

Conclusion

Wicket waves are normal alpha-range brain waves occurring in the temporal chains with an arch-like appearance. They differ from epileptiform discharges in that they are stable, non-evolving, and do not disturb the background brain activity.