News Health & Medicine Alpha wave may affect sleep quality Waking brain activity persists during slumber By Tina Hesman Saey March 4, 2011 at 7:39 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print Making waves isn’t conducive to staying asleep, at least when the waves are a type of brain signal associated with being awake.A type of brain activity known as an alpha wave emanates from the back of the head when a person is awake but relaxing with eyes closed.