Automated detection of sleep spindles in the scalp EEG and estimation of their intracranial current sources: comments on techniques and on related experimental and clinical studies

INTRODUCTION Sleep spindles are short bursts of sleep EEG activity in the range of 11–15Hz, reflecting central nervous system integrity and considered to promote sleep continuity, learning and memory consolidation processes. This contribution comments on the automated detection of sleep spindles and their intracranial sources, as well as on experimental and clinical studies for the characterization of spindles and their sources, and the study of their functional significance. Supporting literature is provided wherever appropriate, although comprehensive review is out of the scope of this opinion paper.