Alpha and the eye.

It has been suggested by Lippold that the alpha rhythm is the result of a modulation of the corneo-retinal potential by translational eye tremor. We have attempted to replicate a critical test of the ocular origin of the alpha rhythm, altering the magnitude of the corneo-retinal potential while concomitantly measuring alpha amplitude. No changes in alpha amplitude related to changes in corneo-retinal potential could be seen. We are thus unable to confirm Lippold's hypothesis.