Electroencephalography (EEG)

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a tool for recording spontaneous

electrical activity generated in the cerebral cortex using multiple
electrodes placed on the scalp. EEG signal is a reflection of electrical
currents flowing in the extracellular space generated by the algebraic
summation of excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials
occurring on many cortical neurons. The summated EPSP and IPSP are
then conducted through the skull and picked up by electrodes placed
on the scalp. One estimate suggests that 6 cm2 of cortical surface area
must be synchronously activated for a potential to be recorded at the
scalp.
EEG Recording
1. Preparation
2. Pre-Recording
3. Electrode Placement
4. Instrument Setting
5. EEG Recording
PREPARATION
Preparation
• Stop taking certain medicines (e.g., sedatives and tranquilizers,
muscle relaxants, sleeping aids, or medicines used to treat seizures if
indicated) before the test if he or she is taking them on the consent of
treating physician.
• Do not eat or drink foods that have caffeine (such as coffee, tea, cola,
and chocolate) for 12 h before the test.
• Clean scalp and hair to make them free of sprays, oils, creams, and
lotions. Shampoo hair and rinse with clear water before the test.
Preparation
• To find certain types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain,
subject may have to be asleep during the recording. He or she is
asked not to sleep at all the night before the test or to sleep less
(about 4 or 5 h) by going to bed later and getting up earlier than
usual.
• If a child is going to be tested, try to keep him or her from taking naps
just before the test.
• If sleep-deprived EEG is desired, plan to take the patient to lab
accordingly.
PRE-RECORDING
Re-Recording
• It should be emphasized that a cooperative and relaxed patient is essential for an ideal
EEG study. A competent and trained technician can often obtain maximum cooperation
and relaxation even from difficult patient such as children or subjects who are
emotionally disturbed.
• During electrode placement, the technician should converse with the patient or subject
in a friendly manner, asking questions about his symptoms and assuring him about the
painless nature of the test.
• The actual recording should be in the supine position. A bed or a soft easy chair may be
used for this purpose.
• Temperature of the EEG room should be maintained at 26 ± 2oC.
• Check the entire recording setup including electrodes prior to the recording procedure.
• The subject should be relaxed throughout the recording procedures.
ELECTRODE PLACEMENT
Electrode Placement
Electrode Placement
1. Measure the distance from the nasion to inion across the vertex. Mark a line 50%
of this distance at the top of the head.
2. Measure the distance between the preauricular points, just in front of the ear.
Mark a line at 50% of this distance, at the top of the head. The intersection of this
line with that of step 1 is Cz.
3. Lay the measuring tape from nasion to inion through Cz. Mark 10% of this
distance above the nasion for Fpz and above the inion for Oz. Fz is 20% of this
distance above Fpz. Pz is 20% of this distance above Oz.
4. Lay the tape between the preauricular points through Cz. T3 is 10% of this
distance above the left preauricular point and T4 is 10% of this distance above the
right preauricular point. C3 is 20% of this distance above T3, and C4 is 20% of this
distance above T4.
5. Lay the tape from Fpz to Oz through T3. Fp1 is 10% of this distance from Fpz, F7
is 20% of this distance posterior to Fp1. O1 is 10% of this distance anterior to Oz,
and T5 is 20% of this distance anterior to O1. On the right hemisphere, sites are
measured in the same manner for Fp2, F8, O2, and T6.
Electrode Placement
6. Lay the tape from Fp1 to O1 through C3. F3 is half the distance between Fp1 and
C3. P3 is half the distance between C3 and O1. Repeat for the right side, with the
tape from Fp2 to O2 through C4. F4 is half the distance between Fp2 and C4, and
P4 is half the distance between C4 and O2.
7. Lay the tape from F7 to F8 through Fz, F3, and F4 to ensure that the distance
between the electrodes is equal. Then lay the tape from T5 to T6 through Pz, P3,
and P4 to ensure equal inter-electrode distances.
INSTRUMENT SETTING
Instrument Setting
1. Amplifier
2. Gain and Sensitivity
3. Calibration
4. EEG Filtering
5. Montage
EEG RECORDING
EEG Recording
• Deruation of Recording
• Recording Proccess
• Activation Methods
Visual Analysis