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Recognizing physiological rhythms and biological artefacts on stereo-EEG
Alex Kao1, Chipi Lozano2, Stephen Coyle2
1Epilepsy Unit, Mater Hospital, South Brisbane, 4101, Australia; Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, 4101, Australia.
Neurophysiologie Clinique = Clinical Neurophysiology
|July 29, 2026
Summary
This educational article helps clinicians and neurophysiology technologists distinguish normal brain activity and artifacts from seizures on stereo-EEG (SEEG) recordings. Understanding these physiological patterns is crucial for accurate epilepsy diagnosis and surgical planning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Neurophysiology
Background:
- Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) is vital for presurgical evaluation of drug-resistant focal epilepsy.
- Accurate SEEG interpretation is critical for identifying the epileptogenic zone and guiding surgical strategies.
- Distinguishing physiological activity and artifacts from pathological signals is a key skill for clinicians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide illustrative examples of common intracerebral physiological rhythms and biological artifacts on SEEG.
- To educate clinicians and neurophysiology technologists in interpreting SEEG signals.
- To enhance the ability to differentiate normal SEEG patterns from pathological activity.
Main Methods:
- Review of SEEG and scalp-EEG data from adult patients undergoing SEEG implantation.
- Selection of representative examples of physiological rhythms and artifacts.
- Quantified signal analysis of selected SEEG samples.
Main Results:
- Examples of wake and sleep physiological rhythms on SEEG are presented, including alpha rhythm, mu rhythm, physiologic gamma, lambda waves, sleep spindles, and K-complexes.
- Photic driving responses and common biological artifacts such as muscle and chewing artifacts are illustrated.
- Visual and quantitative data of normal SEEG patterns are provided.
Conclusions:
- Integrating electrophysiological morphology with anatomical and functional context aids in distinguishing physiological patterns from pathology.
- A strong understanding of normal SEEG patterns is essential for accurate interpretation and reliable presurgical epilepsy evaluation.
- This educational resource supports clinicians and researchers in mastering SEEG interpretation for improved patient care and understanding of brain electrophysiology.
