SC10X/U: A high-density electrode system for standardised surface recording of neural activity of the cervical spinal...

To develop a high-density electrode system that defines the locations of surface electrodes to record neural activity of the human cervical spinal cord; standardizing high-density electrospinography (HD-ESG) recording methodology.

An electrode placement system (SC10X/U) was designed to divide the electrode space over the cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord, inspired by 10/10 EEG system. As proof of concept, a 64-channel system derived from SC10X/U was utilised to record the spinal evoked potentials in response to median nerve stimulation in ten healthy participants.

SC10-X/U defines 76 surface electrode positions relative to anatomical references. It features a unique 10/10 system-compatible nomenclature for the locations. SC10X/U-derived HD-ESG system successfully recorded evoked spinal responses. Significant N13 and P9 potentials were observed. A post-stimulation latency of 13.2 ± 1.1 ms was observed for N13 spinal-potential. Topographic map of the N13 potential indicated an epicentre at C5-C7 dorsal-vertebral levels.

The system defines electrode locations to promote standardized recordings across individuals and research centres. The evoked potentials recorded using the system conformed to the existing neurophysiological and neuroanatomical literature.s.

The proposed system addresses the gap of non-standardized multi-channel recording of neural signals from the upper spinal cord, facilitating reliable and reproducible recordings.