What are we measuring in

EEG and MEG?

Methods for Dummies 2007
Matthew Longo

Basic Logic
Electrical activity of neurons produces currents
spreading through the head.
These currents reach the surface of the scalp, in
the form of voltage changes and magnetic
fields, both of which can be measured noninvasively.
Measured voltage changes at the scalp are
called the electroencephologram (EEG).
Measured magnetic fields at the scalp are
called the magnetoencephologram (MEG).

Electrical Activity in the Cortex

Action Potential
Presynaptic
Axonal
Generally notmeasurable
by EEG/MEG

Excitatory postsynaptic
potential (EPSP)
Postsynaptic
Dendritic
Measurable by EEG/MEG

 Apical dendrites are oriented

in parallel along the cortical
sheet
Apical dendrites thought to
contribute strongest signals
measurable with EEG/MEG
Axons are more randomly
located, resulting in currents
from presynaptic action
potentials cancelling each
other out
Postsynaptic electrical
activity (EPSP) sums,
creating large dipole

EEG and MEG Signals

EPSPs of parallel
dendrites in cortical
columns creates:
Primary current (what we
want to know about)
Secondary/volume currents
Measured by EEG
Influenced by intervening
tissue

Magnetic field
perpendicular to primary
current
Measured by MEG
Unaffected by intervening
tissue

Effects of Dipole Alignment

Spatial Resolution
Single synapse on dendrite contributes ~20 fA-m (femto
= 10-15 = one quadrillionth)
Empirical observations suggest EEG/MEG signals are
typically ~ 10 nA-m (nano = 10-9 = one millionth)
Therefore, typical EEG/MEG signals reflect summed
activity of ~ 500,000 1,000,000 neurons
~ 1-5 mm2 of cortex forms lower bound of spatial
resolution
In practice, the inverse problem further limits the ability
to spatially pinpoint EEG/MEG signals.

MEG Signals
MEG measures the fluctuations of frequency
(Hz) and amplitude (T) of the brain magnetic
signal
10 fT (10-15) to about several pT (10-12)
Earths magnetic field ~ .5 mT
Requires:
Preposterously sensitive magnetometer (SQUID)
Shielding from external noise

The SQUID
Superconducting
Quantum Interference
Device (SQUID)

Pros and Cons of EEG & MEG

EEG

MEG

Signal magnitude

Large signal (10 mV), easy to Tiny signal (10 fT), difficult
detect
to detect

Cost

Cheap

What does signal index?

Measures secondary (volume) Measures fields generated by

currents
primary currents

Signal purity

Affected by skull, scalp, etc.

Unaffected by skull, scalp,

etc.

Temporal Resolution

~ 1 ms

~ 1 ms

Spatial Localization

~ 1 cm

~ 1 mm

Experimental Flexibility

Allows some movement

Requires complete stillness

Dipole Orientation

Sensitive to tangential and

radial dipoles

Sensitive only to tangential

dipoles

Expensive

Further Reading
Baillet et al. (2001). Electromagnetic brain
mapping. IEEE Signal Processing Magazine.
Del Gratta et al. (2001). Reports on the Progress
of Physics, 64, 1759-1814.
Hmlinen et al. (1993). Review of Modern
Physics, 65, 413-497.
Murakami & Okada. (2006). Journal of
Physiology, 575.3, 925-936.
Nunez & Silberstein. (2000). Brain Topography,
13, 79-96.