Quantitative electroencephalography
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Quantitative (digital, computer, paperless) electroencephalography arose in connection with the rapid development of electronic computers as a further development of the EEG method.
The beginning of this new method in the late 50's. XX century. Put the work of Gray Walter, MN. Livanov and V.M. Ananyev, who created the encephaloscope - a device that displayed a map of EEG amplitudes distribution on the scalp in the light display (in later versions on the screen of the cathode ray tube) in the form of dots shining with different brightness. Later the method was perfected by Japanese scientists who realized it on the basis of first laboratory and personal electronic computers. Widely known quantitative EEG acquired after the description of the method of mapping the electrical activity of the brain.
Modern hardware and software systems for quantitative analysis and topographic mapping of EEG include an EEG amplifier with digital filters (most commonly controlled by software), an analog-to-digital converter for recording EEG signals to magnetic or other storage media in digital form, a central processor (usually a serial personal computer), carrying out special types of EEG analysis (spectral-coherent, periodometric, nonlinear), and information display (video monitor, printer, etc.).
The software, as a rule, supports the database, provides for their statistical processing, and also contains text and graphic editors for the preparation of conclusions and illustrations, which are output in the form of visual EEG cards of the brain.