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Issues and considerations for using the scalp surface Laplacian in EEG/ERP research: A tutorial review
Jürgen Kayser1, Craig E Tenke1
1Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
Summary
The surface Laplacian analysis offers a superior alternative to traditional electroencephalography (EEG) reference methods, effectively mitigating volume conduction issues. Embracing this technique can significantly advance EEG and event-related potential (ERP) research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biophysics
- Signal Processing
Background:
- Volume conduction and arbitrary reference choices in electroencephalography (EEG) introduce significant artifacts.
- Traditional EEG analysis methods face limitations in accurately representing neural activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the reluctance in adopting surface Laplacian analysis for EEG and event-related potential (ERP) data.
- To provide an intuitive explanation of the surface Laplacian transform and its benefits over conventional referencing schemes.
Main Methods:
- Revisiting pitfalls of volume conduction and arbitrary EEG references.
- Describing the surface Laplacian transform intuitively.
- Comparing common reference schemes (e.g., nose, linked mastoids, average) with the surface Laplacian for EEG spectra (theta, alpha) and ERP components (N1, P3).
- Addressing reservations regarding signal loss, electrode density, and noise susceptibility using spherical spline interpolation.
Main Results:
- The surface Laplacian effectively counteracts adverse effects of volume conduction and arbitrary recording references.
- Demonstrated differences between common reference schemes and the surface Laplacian for key EEG and ERP measures.
- Showcased that reservations against surface Laplacian are unfounded when using appropriate spherical spline interpolation techniques.
Conclusions:
- The surface Laplacian transform is a powerful tool for improving the accuracy of EEG and ERP analysis.
- Continued reliance on traditional surface potential methods hinders research progress.
- Adoption of surface Laplacian analysis, supported by robust interpolation methods, is crucial for advancing electrophysiological research.
