The standardized EEG electrode array of the IFCN

Margitta Seeck, Laurent Koessler, Thomas Bast, Frans Leijten, Christoph Michel, Christoph Baumgartner, Bin He, Sándor Beniczky

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

225 Scopus citations

Abstract

Standardized EEG electrode positions are essential for both clinical applications and research. The aim of this guideline is to update and expand the unifying nomenclature and standardized positioning for EEG scalp electrodes. Electrode positions were based on 20% and 10% of standardized measurements from anatomical landmarks on the skull. However, standard recordings do not cover the anterior and basal temporal lobes, which is the most frequent source of epileptogenic activity. Here, we propose a basic array of 25 electrodes including the inferior temporal chain, which should be used for all standard clinical recordings. The nomenclature in the basic array is consistent with the 10–10-system. High-density scalp EEG arrays (64–256 electrodes) allow source imaging with even sub-lobar precision. This supplementary exam should be requested whenever necessary, e.g. search for epileptogenic activity in negative standard EEG or for presurgical evaluation. In the near future, nomenclature for high density electrodes arrays beyond the 10–10 system needs to be defined, to allow comparison and standardized recordings across centers. Contrary to the established belief that smaller heads needs less electrodes, in young children at least as many electrodes as in adults should be applied due to smaller skull thickness and the risk of spatial aliasing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2070-2077
Number of pages8
JournalClinical Neurophysiology
Volume128
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2017

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
MS was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (No 140332).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology

Keywords

  • 10–10-system
  • 10–5-system
  • Electrodes
  • High density EEG
  • Montage
  • Routine EEG
  • Scalp
  • Standard EEG
  • Temporal

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The standardized EEG electrode array of the IFCN'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this