E1: How EEG detects brain activity Roubos, George

Introduction An EEG,
or electroencephalograph, is a device that detects voltage fluctuations of neural activity through electrodes on the scalp. An EEG gives a graphical readout of time vs. voltage. The frequency and amplitude of the oscillations in voltage, or waves, is diagnostically used to monitor sleep patterns, distinguish epileptic seizures, comas and other brain activity. activating the dendrite of the post-synaptic neuron. This causes a chain reaction of neural activity.

Clinical Use EEGs are mainly used to

diagnose and evaluate epilepsy by observing the spectral patterns. Different patterns and behaviors can help clinicians to classify and differentiate the type of epilepsy. Patterns of waves from multiple areas of the brain are examined and compared to normal patterns. Epileptic activity is easily distinguishable from normal background EEG patterns.

Detection The electrical potential

Neural Activity The brains activity is

caused by billions of neurons fluctuating between an active and rest state. Neurons are kept at a polarized resting membrane potential (70mV) when not active by membrane proteins transporting ions. This creates an electrical potential difference. Once a neuron is stimulated, sodium ion channels open in the membrane, allowing ions to pass into the cell, causing an action potential spike (+40mV). The change in polarity stimulates neighboring ion channels further down the axon to open. The action potential is then able to propagate the entire length of the neuron and stimulate adjacent neurons through the release of

generated by a single neuron is too small to be detectable from the scalp. The voltage difference detected by the EEG reflects the combined effect of local neural activity. Neural interactions create synchronized neural fluctuations of activity, which are large enough to be detected from the scalp. Synchronized neural activity causes the transmission of waves of electrical activity through the tissue. This occurs in a process called volume conduction where the movement of ions through membranes causes repulsion of similar charged ions that propagate through the brain tissue. Eventually, the wave will reach the scalp where electrodes are attached. The wave causes electrons in the metal wiring to oscillate. Furthermore, the wiring is attached to a voltmeter, which can measure the voltage differences over time and record them giving a wave pattern.
Fig. 2. Diagram of head showing attachment points for electrodes. From http://bindcenter.e u/?page_id=12

Fig. 3. Epileptic activity characterized by distinct wave pattern arising and abruptly ending. From http://brain.fuw.edu.pl/~suffa/Modeling_SW.html

EEGs can also be used to distinguish between sleep stages determined by frequency ranges and amplitude.

References

neurotransmitter at the synaptic cleft,

Fig. 1. Action potential impulse moving from the cell body to the axon terminal. From Biozone International Ltd. http://tle.westone.wa.gov.au/content/file/969144ed-0d3b-fa04-2e888b23de2a630c/1/human_bio_science_3b.zip/content/002_nervous_control/page_11.htm

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