Electroencephalography

( EEG )

Nidhin Thomas
Kartik Jain
“Electroencephalography (EEG)
is the recording of electrical activity
along the scalp produced by the
firing of neurons within the brain.”
History
1929: Hans Berger developed the
electroencephalography (=graphic
representation of the difference in
voltage between two different
cerebral locations plotted over time)
following the studies of Richard
Caton in non-human animal species.

He described the human alpha and

beta rhythms
 Gray Walter – Brain Imaging

In 1957, Gray Walter

Makes recordings with
large numbers of
electrodes
Visualizes brain activity
with the toposcope
Shows that brain rhythms
change according to the
mental task demanded
The toposcope by Gray Walter
Functions of EEG
The EEG uses highly conductive silver electrodes coated with silver-
chloride and gold cup electrodes to obtain accurate measures… use
impedance device to measure effectiveness, resistance caused by
cerebrospinal fluid, and skull bone

Monopolar Technique : the use of one active recording electrode

placed on area of interest, a reference electrode in an inactive area, and a
ground

Bipolar Technique : the use of two active electrodes on areas of interest

Measures brain waves (graphs voltage over time) through electrodes by

using the summation of many action potentials sent by neurons in brain.
Measured amplitudes are lessened with electrodes on surface of skin
compared to electrocorticogram
EEG Acquisition
Electrodes: Ag/AgCl,
tin…

Active electrodes:
Attached to the scalp

Reference electrode:
Mastoid, nose, ear lobe...
The EEG records
differences in voltage –
difference in electrical
potential from one
electrode to another!!
EEG in clinical diagnostics EEG in scientific research
Electrode Positioning system
EEG Electrodes

Sliver Electrodes Electrodes Cap

Procedure of EEG recording

A standard EEG makes use of 21 electrodes

linked in various ways (Montage).
Ask the subject to lie down in bed.
Apply electrode according to 10/20% system.
Check the impedance of the electrodes.
10 /20 % system of EEG electrode
placement
Major Brain Regions
What does the EEG record?
Mainly NOISE!!

The electrical activity flows

through the tissue between the
electrical generator and the
recording electrode.
Thus, the EEG is a 2-D
representation of a 3-D reality,
which poses a problem in
localizing the sources of the
electrical activity
Sodium-Potassium Pump

The mechanism within neurons that creates action potentials

through the exchange between sodium and potassium ions in
and out of the cell
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) provides energy for proteins
to pump 300 sodium ions per second out of the cell while
simultaneously pumping 200 potassium ions per second into
the cell (concentration gradient)
Thus making the outside of the cell more positively charged
and the neuron negatively charged
This rapid ionic movement causes the release of action
potentials
What are Event-Related Potentials?

• ERPs
– “Electrical Potentials associated with specific
sensory, perceptual, cognitive, or motor
events”
• From EEG to ERP…
– Time-locked average of EEG from many trials
involving same ‘event’
– Signal/Noise Ratio reduction; what is left is
‘related to the event’
• EEG = 20-50v / ERP = 1-10 v
Electrical activity
at the onset of a
stimulus recorded

Filter & Amplify

Average across
Trials &
Individuals
Collapsed to form
a “Grand
Average” Or
mean of means
Different types of brain waves in
normal EEG
Rhythm Frequency Amplitude Recording
(Hz) (uV) & Location

Alpha(α) 8 – 13 50 – 100 Adults, rest, eyes closed.

Occipital region

Beta(β) 14 - 30 20 Adult, mental activity

Frontal region

Theta(θ) 5–7 Above 50 Children, drowsy adult,

emotional distress
Occipital
Delta(δ) 2–4 Above 50 Children in sleep
Factors influencing EEG
Age
Infancy – theta, delta wave
Child – alpha formation.
Adult – all four waves.
Level of consciousness (sleep)
Hypocapnia(hyperventilation) slow & high
amplitude waves.
Hypoglycemia
Hypothermia
Low glucocorticoids
Desynchronization or Alpha block

Cause:
Eyes opening (after closure)
Thinking by the subject (mathematical calculation)
Sound (clapping)
Eye opening
Alpha rhythm changes to beta on eye
opening (desynchronization / α- block)
Thinking

Beta waves are observed

Provocation test

Intermittent photic stimulation

Increase rate & decrease amplitude

Hyperventilation
Decrease rate & increase in amplitude
Strengths and Advantages of EEG
Is a measure of brain
Provides some spatial
function; supplement
neuroimaging studies or localization
information
Provides direct rather
than indirect evidence Low cost
of epileptic
abnormality Low morbidity

May be the only test Readily repeatable

that shows
Portable / ambulatory
abnormalities in
Limitations and
Disadvantages Of EEG
Detects cortical dysfunction but rarely discloses its etiology
Relatively low sensitivity and specificity
Subject to both electrical and physiologic artifacts
Influenced by state of alertness, hypoglycemia, drugs
Small or deep lesions might not produce an EEG abnormality
Limited time sampling (for routine EEG) and spatial sampling
May falsely localize epileptogenic zone
EEG Artifacts

Biological artifacts
Eye artifacts (including eyeball, ocular muscles and
eyelid)
ECG artifacts
EMG artifacts
Glossokinetic artifacts (minor tongue movements)
External artifacts
Movement by the patient
settling of the electrodes
Poor grounding of the EEG electrodes
the presence of an IV drip
Computerized EEG Machine
THANK YOU!!