Anterior Cingulate

Since the anterior cingulate is active in controlling the flow of emotional material to the prefrontal–like a mixing valve for intellectual and emotional elements in the decision-making process–when it is stressed by trying to block lots of material, it can get “hot” (Daniel Amen’s term), and this is often a period of anxiety (which precedes depression for many folks) and stress. When the cingulate (and/or adrenals) start to get tired, then the cingulate (at Fz) can begin to show slow activity and perform its function(s) less effectively.   As Tom Brownback taught us, it’s the site, stupid–not the frequency.   If there is excessive emotion entering the decision-making process (as there often is with depression) look at the anterior cingulate and see what’s there rather than looking for a specific frequency.

Remember that, to see the cingulate, you need to look for its “shadow” running under Fz, which appears most clearly when you compare it against F3 and F4.