Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025
13:32
Recording Human Electrocorticographic ECoG Signals for Neuroscientific Research and Real-time Functional Cortical Mapping
Published on: June 26, 2012
26.0K
The Role of Scalp EEG Recordings During Cortical Visual Prosthesis Testing
Katarina Stephan1, Philip R Troyk2, Gislin Dagnelie3
1Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
Artificial Organs
|May 27, 2025
Summary
Scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring proved valuable for detecting impending seizures during intracortical visual stimulator use in blind individuals. This safety measure is recommended, especially with higher stimulation levels.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Investigating artificial vision through intracortical visual prosthetics for individuals with blindness.
- Recording scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) as a safety measure against seizures induced by cortical stimulation.
- Collected over 330 hours of EEG data over a 3-year period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of scalp EEG in monitoring safety during intracortical visual stimulation.
- To assess the risk of seizures associated with intracortical visual prosthetics.
Main Methods:
- Implanted wireless floating microelectrode arrays (WFMAs) in the occipital cortex of two participants (400 and 512 electrodes).
- Recorded occipital scalp EEG during intracortical stimulation.
- Characterized and mapped phosphenes to create visual field representations.
Main Results:
- Scalp EEG provided early warnings of impending epileptic activity during stimulation.
- Two seizure events during direct cortical stimulation were detected via scalp EEG.
- Normal electrically evoked potentials (eEPs) were observed in EEG recordings.
Conclusions:
- Scalp EEG is a valuable tool for alerting researchers to potential seizures during intracortical stimulation.
- EEG monitoring may not be essential when employing low levels of cortical stimulation.
