EEG (Electroencephalography)

An EEG is a machine that records the baby’s brain activity by measuring the electrical signal from the neurons. The electrical signal can be measured from the outside of the head with a cap that has many small sensors.

Pointing to the brain: Neuronal activity

Pointing to the cap: The EEG cap is called a ‘net’. It has many sensors made of small sponges that measure electrical activity on the scalp.

Pointing to the software box: Software analyses the electrical activity for each sensor so researchers can know where and when brain activity happens. 

EEG is a technique for measuring brain activity to find out where and when brain activity occurs. When neurons in the brain work they create electrical activity and this electrical activity can be measured right on the scalp. 

The participant wears an EEG net that has 128 small sensors that capture brain activity at different parts of the scalp to get activity from different brain regions. The net is put on the head like a hat. To help the sensors capture the brain activity the net is placed in warm water mixed with a little baby shampoo and potassium chloride. This solution is safe for everyone, even the smallest infants. It is then patted dry with a towel so the participant’s hair only gets a little moist. The EEG software analyses the signal so researchers can know where brain activity occurs and when it starts and ends.