News Excerpt:

Since its discovery one century ago, electroencephalography (EEG) has been a crucial tool in our knowledge of the brain.

Invention of EEG

• In 1924, German psychiatrist Hans Berger discovered electroencephalography (EEG), which provided a new neurologic and psychiatric diagnostic tool.

About Electroencephalogram (EEG)

• EEG derives its name from "electro-" (electricity), "-encephalo-" (brain), and "-graphy" (representation).
• EEG is a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the brain.
• During this procedure, small metal discs called electrodes are attached to the scalp.
• These electrodes detect the electrical impulses generated by brain cells, which appear as wavy lines on the EEG recording. Importantly, brain cells remain active even during sleep.
• The EEG is crucial in diagnosing epilepsy and can also assist in identifying other brain conditions.
• It detects changes in brain activity that may indicate conditions such as epilepsy, seizure disorders, brain tumors, brain injuries, encephalopathy, brain inflammation (like herpes encephalitis), stroke, sleep disorders, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
• Additionally, an EEG is used to confirm brain death in comatose patients and to adjust anesthesia levels in medically induced comas.
• During surgery, EEG may monitor blood flow in the brain or neck arteries. 

Safe Process

• EEG, a marvel blending physics and neurobiology, offers a unique glimpse into the human brain through a deceptively simple window.
• The EEG is a well-established, safe procedure that causes no discomfort or sensation to the patient. The electrodes only record brain activity and pose no risk of electric shock.
• Neurons in the brain produce electrical activity through the movement of charged particles like ions, detectable via EEG.
• This tool enables researchers to correlate data with various brain activities, distinguishing between normal and abnormal states.
• Despite its limitations in depth and specificity compared to invasive methods, EEG remains invaluable for its non-invasive nature, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and portability.
• Collaboration with technologies like MRI enhances its diagnostic accuracy and expands its research applications.