Principles for transformation of scalp EEG from potential field into source distribution

Tracings representing simultaneously recorded values of EEG potentials from different positions on the scalp surface describe how the instantaneous potential field over the scalp surface changes with time. Each instantaneous distribution of potential can be seen as resulting from spatial integration of primary components into the potential field. These components may be derived by means of the reverse procedure: subjecting the data from the potential field to spatial differentiation as provided by the Laplacian source operator. The result is a "deblurred," i.e., a more differentiated, distribution of source components hypothetically associated with the generators of the potential field. The Laplacian source operator can be implemented as a linear combination of the instantaneous potential values, either by means of very simple electronic circuitry or in a computer. The linear combination is a standard operation in matrix algebra and is widely applied in signal processing. The formalism of matrix algebra simplifies a precise evaluation of the method in relation to conventional derivation techniques and provides further methods for analysis of the EEG data.