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Glossary

C

Cognitive Electrophysiology

The study of how cognitive functions are implemented by the electrical activity produces by neuron populations. A spectrum ranging from cognitive studies (psychology)) to Electrophysiology (neuroscience)

E

Electrocorticogram (ECoG) / Intracranial EEG

Measurement of the electric potential in the extracellular space around neurons. Invasive as it is done on the brain directly using surface electrodes

Electroencephalography (EEG)

The measurement of electrical fields of the brain externally via the use of numerous electrodes

  • Pros:
    • High Temporal Resolution
    • Directly measures neuronal population activity
    • Measures across time, space / location, frequency, and power / strength
  • Cons:
    • Not good for precise location analysis
    • Not good for trials longer than a few seconds

See Ch 2

Event Marker

On a separate channel of the EEG, an Event marker is a square wave that is sent to denote an event (such as a button press). See Ch 6

Small voltages from brain structures in response to specific events. Regarded as Time Locked activityactivity. See Ch 2, Ch 5

F

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

An extension of MRI, in which MRI machines are used to scan the brain for changes in blood oxidation, which implies neuronal activity. This is sometimes also referred to as BOLD (Blood oxygenation level dependent) imaging. See Ch 2

L

Local Field Potential Recording (LFP)

Measurement of the electric potential in the extracellular space around neurons. Invasive as it is done on the brain directly using depth electrodes

M

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

heThe measurement of magnetic fields of the brain externally via the use of numerous magnetic sensors in a magnetically isolated environmentenvironment. See Ch 2

MATLAB

A stupid programming language where indexing starts at 1. Commonly used in research. Lots of EEG packages are designed for it. Look into Octave for similar free functionality

N

Neurotransmitter

Chemical signaling molecules that neurons use to communicate with each other. As they are not electrical, they are not directly detectable by EEG. See Ch 5

Nyquists Theorem

States that one would need to sample at least twice per period of a signal to accurately deduce the source wave. See Ch 6

O

Oscillation

A periodic change between 2 values. In the context of neuroscience, cognitive processes are thought to be largely encoded in neural oscillations around the brain

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