RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Gevins, A., Smith, M.E., & McEvoy, L.K (2003). EEG and ERP imaging of brain function. In J. Polich (Ed.) Detection of Change: Event-Related Potential and fMRI findings. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, MA, pp 133-148.

ABSTRACT

High temporal resolution is necessary to resolve the rapidly changing patterns of brain activity that underlie basic mental functions such as working memory. Although EEG and especially event-related potential (ERP) measures provide temporal resolution in the millisecond range, most studies using EEG & ERP measures do not have sufficient spatial detail to identify relationships between brain electrical events and structures and functions visualized by three-dimensional imaging modalities such as MRI. Spatial detail may be improved by recording EEGs with more electrodes, by registering EEG data with anatomical images, and by correcting the blur distortion caused by volume conduction of EEG signals through the skull and scalp. Source modeling procedures such as dipole analysis or distributed source analysis are often also helpful. Measurements of waveshape similarity and timing between EEGs recorded from different locations can help generate hypotheses about the instantaneous functional networks that form between different cortical regions during perception, thought and action. Along with its unique ability to monitor brain function as people perform everyday activities in the real world, these advances make modern EEG an invaluable complement to other functional neuroimaging modalities.