As we are probably all stumbling on our first blog post, I
had a feeling we’d lean on writing on animal research, so I said to myself, “dare
to be different, Brenda.” EEG or
electrocenphalogragh, according to our textbook (page 111), is a device specifically
designed to record the brain’s activities by using electrodes. The EEG is capable of picking up the brain’s
activity with or without a stimulus present. If a stimulus is present, it is
called evoked potentials or evoked responses.
As I did more research on EEG, I was surprised to see that
there were different ways in which the electrodes could be inserted to record brain
activity. Sphenodial electrodes, are
inserted into the cheeks (ouch!) and are able to record the brain activity of
the frontal and temporal lobes. Subdural
electrodes require surgery to be placed in the patient on the dura matter of
the brain. A small hole is made in the
skull, called burr holes and the electrodes do not penetrate the brain.
Depth electrodes are similar to subdural electrodes (burr hole included),
except that depth electrodes actually penetrate the brain.
I am so glad that I do not have epilepsy! I cannot imagine having to go through these
kinds of surgeries to find the cause of the seizures. Sometimes the part of the brain that is
causing the seizure can be removed if it is not responsible for movement, speech
or any other important function.
I found the EEG interesting because not only can it be used
in hospitals to help find the cause of epilepsy seizures and other brain
disorders, but it is being used for other purposes as well. As I was browsing
for videos on EEG, I stumbled upon this video of students in McMaster
University who were able to make a wheelchair move by using EEG. I thought it was pretty cool and it would be
a lot easier to get around in a wheelchair if you lack the upper body strength (like me) or are unable to use your arms to move yourself around. The wheelchair works pretty well and it is
amazing how the students were able to get it working with their brain and a few
hand movements that are recorded with the electrodes.
If EEG is able to detect the part of the brain that is
causing seizures, sleep disorders, and can be able to move wheelchairs, I
wonder what else they could do in the future?! I can’t wait to find out!
