Electro-encephalography

Introduction/ How It Works

An electro-encephalogram is, “…a test used to evaluate the electrical activity in the brain. Brain cells communicate with each other through electrical impulses” (Blocka 2018). This is the general function of an EEG which is a very useful technique in medicine.

What Information is Observed

This technique uses metal objects which are placed on the head of a person to measure the electrical patterns in their brain. The outputs from the scan are sent to machines that broadcast the results of the impulses. The impulses are seen as lines on graphs that doctors use to determine the productivity of the brain. It is easy for them to decipher if there are problems in the electrical patterns. By observing these graphs, physicians can diagnose several issues such as seizures, tumors, strokes, etc. This practice is very important for medical research.

Strengths and Limitations

According to Martha Ann Bell and Kimberly Cuevas, using EEGs is very favorable when performed on infants and children, however, the electrical impulses can be distorted because of the spatial resolution of the skull (Bell, Cuevas 2012). Other challenges arise when performing these tests on toddlers. It is difficult for small children to stay still to place the electrodes on the scalp. Timing is also a limitation of the EEG. According to the same article, it takes a long time for the results of the test to come back. This can become a problem in emergencies when results are needed quickly. Although there are downsides to this test, the upsides outweigh the negatives. As medical research progresses more and more data allow for new practices to be used. This is important for the future of medicine because in the medical world things are rapidly changing.

EEG Studies

One very important and interesting study that was performed using an EEG was by William Dement M.D. and Nathaniel Kleitman Ph.D. This study is mentioned in “Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology.” This study was finding information about many different aspects of the brain, but one that relates to cognition and memory is when they studied dreaming. These tests occurred when individuals were asleep because the scientists wanted to record the electrical impulses during the body’s resting stage. According to the study these people stated, “In all cases, the subjects felt that, although the mental content during the onset of sleep was often “dream-like,” it was distinctly different from an actual dream” (Dement, Kleitman 1957). This statement shows that the brain possesses something that machines can’t see. These dream experiences could be the result of the consciousness and subconsciousness in action. When using these methods, it is difficult to analyze what our free-will and choices are doing because it is only measuring electrical waves. This study goes to show that there is still much to discover about the human mind and where our “person” resides within.

Misconceptions

One of the big misconceptions about the use of EEGs is that it sends signals to your brain. This is not the case as an EEG is only meant for analyzing electrical impulses that are already occurring in your brain. There is no interference with your mind because this is a method that is used for statistical data about your brain's function. Another common misconception is that these brain analyses can cure brain disorders. This is not the case. These procedures can help in determining problems that may be present, but they cannot physically fix them. These tests allow physicians to create a plan to control these problems and find ways to fix them.

References

Bell, M., & Cuevas, K. (2012, July 10). Using EEG to Study Cognitive Development: Issues and Practices. Retrieved October 04, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3491357/

Blocka, K. (2018, September 29). EEG (Electroencephalogram): Purpose, Procedure, and Risks. Retrieved October 04, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/eeg

Dement, W., & Kleitman, N. (2003, March 06). Cyclic variations in EEG during sleep and their relation to eye movements, body motility, and dreaming. Retrieved October 04, 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0013469457900883