Physiology Lessons

for use with the

Biopac Student Lab


Lesson 4

ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY II
EEG II
Alpha Rhythms in the occipital lobe


Richard Pflanzer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Emeritus
Indiana University School of Medicine
Purdue University School of Science

J .C. Uyehara, Ph.D.
Biologist
BIOPAC Systems, Inc.

William McMullen
Vice President
BIOPAC Systems, Inc.













BIOPAC

Systems, Inc.
42 Aero Camino, Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 685-0066, Fax (805) 685-0067
info@biopac.com
www.biopac.com


Manual Revision 3.7.6
12182009
BIOPAC Systems, Inc.





Lesson 4: EEG II Page 3
II. EXPERIMENTAL OBJECTIVES
1) To record an EEG from an awake, resting subject under the following conditions:
a) Relaxed with eyes closed;
b) Performing mental arithmetic with eyes closed;
c) Hyperventilating (breathing quickly and deeply) with eyes closed;
d) Relaxed with eyes open.
2) To examine differences in the level of alpha rhythm activity during mental arithmetic and hyperventilation,
compared to the control condition of eyes closed and relaxed.
III. MATERIALS
BIOPAC electrode lead set (SS2L)
BIOPAC disposable vinyl electrodes (EL503), 3 electrodes per subject
BIOPAC electrode gel (GEL1) and abrasive pad (ELPAD) or Skin cleanser or alcohol prep
Lycra

swim cap (such as Speedo

brand) or supportive wrap (such as 3M Coban

Self-adhering Support Wrap) to

press electrodes against head for improved contact
Biopac Student Lab System: software BSL 3.7.5 or above
data acquisition unit MP36, MP35, MP30 (Windows only), or MP45
Computer System
IV. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
For further explanation, use the online support options under the Help Menu.
A. SET UP
FAST TRACK DETAILED EXPLANATION
1. Turn the computer ON.
2. Make sure the BIOPAC MP3X unit is
turned OFF.
3. Plug the equipment in as follows:
Electrode lead (SS2L)CH 1
4. Turn ON the BIOPAC MP3X unit.












Setup continues
The desktop should appear on the monitor. If it does not appear, ask the
laboratory instructor for assistance.


Fig. 4.2 MP3X (top) and MP45 (bottom) hardware connections
Plugs into Channel 1
SS2L Electrode Lead Set
Page 4 Biopac Student Lab 3.7.6
5. Position electrodes on the scalp.
Fig. 4.3 shows a sample configuration.

IMPORTANT
Electrode adhesion to the scalp
is crucial for obtaining a
meaningful EEG recording.
RED Lead
WHITE Lead
BLACK Lead
(Ground)



If it is easier, you can
attach the BLACK lead
(ground) to the neck
instead of to the ear
lobe.
Fig. 4.3
Guidelines for electrode placement:
a) The placement of the scalp electrodes can vary (within limits) depending
on your instructors or Subjects preference.
b) Keep the electrodes on one side (right or left) of the head.
c) The third electrode is the ground electrode and is connected to the earlobe
or neck. The adhesive collar is larger than the earlobe but it can be folded
under the ear.
Hints for obtaining optimal data:
1. As much as possible, move the hair away from the electrode adhesion
area. Otherwise the hair will pull the electrodes up, away from the scalp.
2. Apply pressure to the electrodes for about 1 minute after the initial
placement.
3. Subject should remain still. Blinking and other movement will affect the
recording of all four rhythms.
4. Despite your best efforts, electrode adhesion may not be strong enough to
record data; try another Subject or different electrode placement.
6. Attach the electrode leads to the
electrodes, following the color code in
Fig. 4.3.
7. Place supportive cap/wrap on Subjects
head to press electrodes against the scalp
with constant pressure.
8. Ask Subject to sit and relax with eyes
closed for approximately 5 minutes
before recording.
The pinch connectors work like a small clothespin, but only latch onto the
nipple of the electrode from one side of the connector. Drape the electrode
cables over the head so that they are not pulling on the electrodes.
Place a Lycra

swim cap or supportive wrap on Subjects head to press the

electrodes against the scalp with a constant pressure. Subject should not hold
electrodes against scalp.
Ideally, the room should be reasonably quiet to help Subject mentally relax.
This 5-minute period is also important to give the electrodes time to establish
contact with the surface of the skin.
9. Start the Biopac Student Lab Program.
10. Choose lesson L04 and click OK.

Lesson L04 is Electroencephalography (EEG) II.
11. Type in your filename and click OK. Use a unique identifier.
This ends the default setup.
12. Optional: Set Preferences.
Choose File >Preferences.
Select an option.
Select the desired setting and click OK.
END OF SETUP
This lesson has optional Preferences for data and display while recording. Per
your Lab Instructors guidelines, you may set:
Grids: show or hide gridlines
J ournal Text: show minimum guiding text vs. detailed text
Recording Length: allow from 30 seconds to 30 minutes of data
Lesson 4: EEG II Page 5
B. CALIBRATION
Calibration establishes the hardwares internal parameters (such as gain, offset, and scaling) and is critical for optimum
performance. Pay close attention to Calibration.
FAST TRACK Calibration DETAILED EXPLANATION OF CALIBRATION STEPS
1. Ensure that electrodes and electrode
leads are properly placed and that Subject
is seated and relaxed.
Subject remains relaxed with eyes closed during Calibration. The best
recordings occur when Subject is relaxed for the entire recording.
2. Click Calibrate. The Calibrate button is in the upper left corner of the program screen.
3. Check connections and click OK. A prompt will be generated, requesting that you check the electrode
attachments one last time. Click OK to begin Calibration. The Biopac Student
Lab will begin recording data and use it to calculate optimal settings for
Subject. Calibration will stop automatically after 8 seconds.
4. Check the calibration data.
If similar, proceed to the Data
Recording section.
If different, click Redo Calibration.
At the end of the 8-
sec calibration
recording, the screen
should resemble Fig.
4.4.

Figure 4.4
END OF CALIBRATION
There should be zero baseline (a relatively flat line) as in Fig. 4.4.
If the data shows any large spikes, click Redo Calibration and repeat the
entire calibration sequence.
C. RECORDING LESSON DATA
FAST TRACK Recording DETAILED EXPLANATION OF RECORDING STEPS
1. Prepare for the recording while Subject
remains seated, relaxed, and still.













Recording continues
You will record Subject in four conditions; Subject will perform tasks in the
intervals between recordings.
Segment 1: Relaxed with eyes closed
Segment 2: Performing mental math with eyes closed
Segment 3: Recovering from hyperventilation with eyes closed
Segment 4: Relaxed with eyes open
In order to work efficiently, read this entire section so you will know what to do
for each recording segment.
Subject should remain in a supine position and continue to relax while you
review the lesson.
Hints for obtaining optimal data:
a) It is important that you pay attention to the specific instructions for each
recording segment.
b) Good electrode contact is essential to minimize noise and increase signal
amplitude.
c) Subject should not blink during the eyes open segment. Best results are
obtained if the eyes remain still at all times.
d) Subject should not talk during any of the recording segments, and should
not verbalize answers to the mental arithmetic.
e) The alpha signal will be increased during the relaxation segment if
Subject concentrates on breathing slowly and/or relaxing muscles.

Page 6 Biopac Student Lab 3.7.6
f) For the mental math segment: the Director should prepare by coming
up with a math problem before recording begins. The math problem
should be challenging but not too difficult, e.g. take the number 2 and
double it, double again, double again, divide by 3, multiply by 15, divide
by 7, multiply by 12. The point is to make Subject really work to get the
answer, not to stump Subject or make them give up. The math problem
should require a minimum of twenty seconds.
g) Before the recovery from hyperventilation segment: Subject should
breathe quickly and deeply for two minutes, as if he/she had just finished
exercising and needed air. Subject should not be hyperventilating during
the recording.
Segment 1 Subject relaxed with eyes closed (Control)
2. Click Record and have Subject
continue to relax with eyes closed.
When Record is clicked, the recording will
begin and an append marker labeled
Relaxed with eyes closed will
automatically be inserted.
TIP In this lesson, Display > Autoscale
Waveforms and Autoscale
Horizontal are enabled DURING
recording.
Note The graph window will reduce to fit the Input
values window on the right side of the display.
The Input values window shows the alpha-RMS
value in a thermometer-like bar display, and can
be used as a visual aid to determine fluctuations
in alpha-RMS activity. It is only displayed when
data is recorded, and does not show in the
Review Saved Data mode.

Fig. 4.5
3. Record for 10 seconds.
4. Click Suspend.
Subject should be relaxed with eyes closed (seconds 0-10).
The recording should halt, giving you time to review the data and prepare for the
next recording segment.
5. Review the data on the screen.
If similar, go to Step 6.









Recording continues
If data looks similar to Fig. 4.6, proceed to Step 6.

Fig. 4.6 Relaxed, Eyes Closed
Lesson 4: EEG II Page 7
If different, click Redo. You should consider redoing the recording if
Data shows
a.) large drifts in baseline (poor electrode adhesion)
b.) large spikes/EMG artifact (indicating Subject blinked or moved)
c.) no change (indicating electrodes may not have been properly attached to
the skin or the procedure may not have been properly followed)
The Suspend button was pressed prematurely.
Subject did not follow the proper procedure.
In this case, click Redo and repeat recording Steps 2-5. Once Redo is pressed, the
data that was just recorded will be erased.
Segment 2 Mental Arithmetic
6. Subject remains relaxed with eyes
closed while Director prepares a math
problem.
Subject remains relaxed with eyes closed. Director prepares a math problem.
The problem should be challenging but not too difficultthe point is to make
Subject really work for the answer, not to stump Subject. For example:
2 minus 4times 3plus 9double thatdouble againdivide by 4...
7. Click Resume. When Resume is clicked, the recording will continue and an append marker
labeled Mental arithmetic will be automatically inserted.
8. Director verbalizes a math problem
and Subject silently processes it.
Director verbally provides a continuous arithmetic problem and Subject remains
seated with eyes closed and silently processes this problem for a minimum of 20
seconds (seconds 11-30).
9. Click Suspend. The recording should halt, giving you time to review the data and prepare for the
next recording segment.
10. Review the data on the screen.
If similar, go to Step 11.
If data looks similar to Fig. 4.7, proceed to Step 11.

Fig. 4.7 Mental Math, Eyes Closed
If different, click Redo.

The data may be different for the reasons in Step 5.
If different, click Redo and repeating recording Steps 7-10. Once Redo is
clicked, the data that was just recorded will be erased.
Segment 3 After Hyperventilation
11. Director advises Subject to
hyperventilate for two minutes.

WARNING
Hyperventilation can make
Subject dizzy and light headed.
Subject should be seated with
Director watching. Stop the
procedure if Subject starts to
feel sick or dizzy.
Subject should hyperventilate for two minutes with eyes closed (see Hints).
It is important that you resume recording as quickly as possible after Subject has
hyperventilated. However, it is also important that you do not click Resume
while Subject is hyperventilating or you will capture EMG artifact.
Recording continues
Page 8 Biopac Student Lab 3.7.6
12. Click Resume. When you click Resume, the recording will continue and an append marker
labeled After hyperventilation will be automatically inserted.
13. Record for 10 seconds while Subject is
recovering from hyperventilation.
Subject should be in a relaxed state with eyes closed, recovering from
hyperventilation.
14. Click Suspend. The recording should halt, giving you time to prepare for the next recording
segment.
15. Review the data on the screen.

If similar, go to Step 16.
If data looks similar to Fig. 4.8, proceed to Step 16. It is normal to have some
baseline drift after hyperventilation, as shown in Fig. 4.8.

Fig. 4.8 Recovering from Hyperventilation, Eyes Closed
If different, click Redo. The data may be different for the reasons in Step 5.
If different, click Redo and repeat recording Steps 12-15. Once Redo is clicked,
the data that was just recorded will be erased.
Segment 4 Eyes Open
16. Director advises Subject to open
his/her eyes, and continue to relax.
Director should advise Subject to open his/her eyes.
Subject should remain relaxed but open his/her eyes.
17. Click Resume. When you click Resume, the recording will continue and an append marker
labeled Eyes open will be automatically inserted.
18. Record for 10 seconds. Subject should be seated and relaxed with eyes open and should try not to blink.
19. Click Suspend. The recording should halt.
20. Review the data on the screen.
If similar go to Step 21.









Recording continues
If data looks similar to Fig. 4.9, proceed to Step 21.

Fig. 4.9 Relaxed, Eyes Open
Lesson 4: EEG II Page 9
If different, click Redo. The data may be different for the reasons in Step 5.
If different, click Redo and repeat recording Steps 17-20. Once Redo is clicked,
the data that was just recorded will be erased.
21. Click Done.
22. Click Yes.
A dialog with options will be generated. Make your choice, and continue as
directed.
If choosing the Record from another Subject option:
a) Prepare subject and attach electrodes per Setup Steps 5-8 and continue
the entire lesson from Setup Step 11.
b) Each person will need to use a unique file name.
23. Remove electrodes.
END OF RECORDING
Remove the electrode cable pinch connectors. Peel off and discard the electrodes;
BIOPAC electrodes are not reusable. Wash the electrode gel residue from the
skin, using soap and water. The electrodes may leave a slight ring on the skin for
a few hours, which is quite normal.
V. DATA ANALYSIS
FAST TRACK DETAILED EXPLANATION
1. Enter the Review Saved Data mode.
Enter the Review Saved Data mode from the Lessons menu.
Note Channel Number (CH)
designations:
Channel Displays
CH 1 EEG
CH 40 alpha
CH 41 alpha RMS
Note measurement box settings:
Channel Measurement
CH 1 Stddev
CH 40 Stddev
CH 41 Mean
CH 40 Freq










Data Analysis continues
The data window should come up the same as Fig. 4.10.

Fig 4.10
The measurement boxes are above the marker region in the data window. Each
measurement has three sections: channel number, measurement type, and result.
The first two sections are pull-down menus that are activated when you click
them.
Brief definition of measurements:
Stddev: standard deviation will be higher if there is a lot of activity and lower
if there is less. The advantage of the stddev measurement is that extreme
values or artifacts do not unduly influence the measurement.
Mean: displays the average value in the selected area.
Freq: converts the time segment of the selected area to frequency in cycles
per second
Note: The Freq measurement applies to all channels since it is calculated
from the horizontal time scale.
The selected area is the area selected by the I-beam tool (including endpoints).
Page 10 Biopac Student Lab 3.7.6

2. Set up your display window for optimal
viewing of the entire recording.

The following tools help you adjust the data window:
Display menu: Autoscale horizontal Autoscale waveforms, Zoom Previous
Scroll Bars: Time (Horizontal); Amplitude (Vertical)
Cursor Tools: Zoom Tool
Buttons: Overlap, Split, Show Grid, Hide Grid
3. Use the I-Beam cursor to select the first
data segment.
A
4. Repeat the measurements for each of
the data segments.
A
Fig. 4.11 shows an example of the selected area. The first data segment begins at
the first append marker labeled Relaxed with eyes closed.

Fig. 4.11
5. Zoom in on a small section of the
Segment 1 data.
Be sure to zoom in far enough so that you can easily measure the frequency of
the alpha wave.
6. Use the I-Beam cursor to select an area
from one peak to the next in the alpha
band [CH 40].
B
Fig. 4.12 shows a sample setup for measuring the frequency in the alpha band
[CH 40].

Fig. 4.12
7. Save or print the data file.
8. Quit the program.
END OF DATA ANALYSIS
You may save the data to another location, save notes that are in the journal,
or print the data file.

END OF LESSON 4
Complete the Lesson 4 Data Report that follows.

Lesson 4: EEG II Page 11
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY II
EEG II
DATA REPORT

Students Name:

Lab Section:

Date:

I. Data and Calculations
Subject Profile
Name Height
Age Gender: Male / Female Weight
Amplitudes
A. Complete Table 4.1 with the amplitudes of the recorded data in the control and experimental conditions. Calculate the
difference for the Alpha-RMS Mean between the Experimental Conditions and the Control, and then summarize whether the
Experimental Mean was larger (+), smaller (), or the same (=) as the Control Mean.
Table 4.1
EEG Alpha Alpha-RMS
Segment Condition

Alpha-RMS
Difference
(Exp. - Control)
Alpha-RMS
Summary
(+, , =)
1
Eyes closed
(Control)

2
Mental arithmetic


3
Recovering from
hyperventilation

4
Eyes open


Frequency
B. What is the frequency of an alpha rhythm from Segment 1 data? = Hz
Does this agree with the expected values? Yes No
II. Questions
C. Refer to Table 4.1: When was the general amplitude of the EEG highest?



D. Refer to Table 4.1: When were the alpha wave levels highest?




Page 12 Biopac Student Lab 3.7.6
E. Refer to Table 4.1: How do your results compare with the information presented in the Introduction?


F. Did Subject need to concentrate during math problems? Yes No
How would the level of concentration required affect the data?




G. What might account for the amplitude difference of waves recorded from a subject tested alone, in a darkened room, and
subjects tested in a lab full of students?



H. Which conditions produced the lowest alpha activity?



End of Lesson 4 Report