Richard Pflanzer, Ph.D.

Biopac Student Lab® Lesson 3 Associate Professor Emeritus

Indiana University School of Medicine
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY (EEG) I Purdue University School of Science
42 Aero Camino, Goleta, CA 93117 Procedure
Rev. 09232016 William McMullen
www.biopac.com Vice President, BIOPAC Systems, Inc.

II. EXPERIMENTAL OBJECTIVES

1) To record an EEG from an awake, resting subject with eyes open and eyes closed.
2) To identify and examine alpha, beta, delta, and theta components of the EEG complex.
III. MATERIALS
 BIOPAC electrode lead set (SS2L)
 BIOPAC Disposable Electrodes (EL503,) 3 electrodes per subject
 BIOPAC Electrode Gel (GEL1) and Abrasive Pad (ELPAD)
 Optional: BIOPAC Skin Prep Gel (ELPREP) 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: BSL 4 software, MP36, MP35 or MP45 hardware
 Computer system (Windows or Mac)
IV. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS

A. SETUP
FAST TRACK Setup Detailed Explanation of Setup Steps
1. Turn the computer ON.
 If using an MP36/35 unit, turn it OFF.
 If using an MP45, make sure USB
cable is connected and “Ready” light
is ON.
2. Plug the equipment in as follows:
 Electrode Lead Set (SS2L)—Electrode
Check (MP3x only. For MP45, plug
into CH 1.)
3. Turn ON the BIOPAC MP36/35 unit.

Fig. 3.2 MP3X (top) and MP45 (bottom) hardware connections

Setup continues…

Page P-1 ©BIOPAC Systems, Inc.

Page P-2 L03 – Electroencephalography (EEG) I Biopac Student Lab 4

4. Position electrodes on the scalp.

Fig. 3.3 shows a sample configuration.

IMPORTANT
Good electrode contact with
scalp is crucial for obtaining a
meaningful EEG recording.

Fig. 3.3
Guidelines for electrode placement:
 The placement of the scalp electrodes can vary (within limits)
depending on your instructor’s or Subject’s preference.
 Keep the electrodes on one side (right or left) of the head.
 The third electrode is the ground electrode and is placed over
the Mastoid region (behind the ear).
Hints for obtaining optimal data:
 As much as possible, move (part) the hair away from the
electrode area to ensure the electrode makes contact with the
scalp.
 Clean electrode sites with ELPREP Skin Prep Gel or alcohol
before abrading.
 Gently abrade skin at the electrode sites.
 Apply some gel to the electrode. (A fair amount of gel must be
used to obtain a good electrode to scalp connection.)
 Apply pressure to the electrodes for about 1 minute after the
initial placement.
 Subject must remain still. Blinking and other movement will
affect the recording of all four rhythms.
 Despite your best efforts, electrode adhesion may not be strong
enough to record data; try another Subject or different electrode
placement.
5. Clip the Electrode Lead Set following the The pinch connectors work like a small clothespin, but only latch onto
color code in Fig. 3.3. 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
6. Place cap/wrap on Subject’s head to press the electrodes.
electrodes into scalp (Fig. 3.4).
The cap or wrap should be snug but not uncomfortably tight.

Place a Lycra® swim

cap or supportive
wrap on Subject’s
head to press the
VIN+ and VIN-
electrodes against the
scalp with a constant
pressure. Subject
should not press
electrodes against
Setup continues… scalp.
©BIOPAC Systems, Inc. L03 – Electroencephalography (EEG) I Page P-3

Fig. 3.4
7. Get Subject in proper seating position (Fig.
3.5). Subject should be seated and relaxed. Ideally, the room should be
8. Wait five minutes to allow Subject to reasonably quiet to help Subject mentally relax.
relax, and for electrodes to establish proper
contact.

Fig. 3.5 Positioning

9. Start the Biopac Student Lab Program. Start Biopac Student Lab by double-clicking the Desktop shortcut.
10. Choose “L03 – Electroencephalography
(EEG) I” and click OK.
11. Type in a unique filename and click OK.

No two people can have the same filename, so use a unique identifier,
such as Subject’s nickname or student ID#.
A folder will be created using the filename. This same filename can be
used in other lessons to place the Subject’s data in a common folder.
12. Optional: Set Preferences. This lesson has optional Preferences for data and display while
 Choose File > Lesson Preferences. recording. Per your Lab Instructor’s guidelines, you may set:
 Select an option. Grids: Show or hide gridlines
Lesson Recordings: Specific recordings may be omitted based on
 Select the desired setting and click
instructor preferences.
OK.

END OF SETUP
Page P-4 L03 – Electroencephalography (EEG) I Biopac Student Lab 4

B. CALIBRATION
The Calibration procedure establishes the hardware’s internal parameters (such as gain, offset, and scaling) and is critical for
optimal performance. Pay close attention to Calibration.

FAST TRACK Calibration Detailed Explanation of Calibration Steps

1. Subject remains relaxed with eyes closed
during Calibration.
2. Check Electrode Impedance. (Optional*) This step is optional and not
applicable to MP45 hardware.
Use Check Electrode Impedance
*Only functional if your MP to check the Subject’s skin
hardware is compatible with the conductivity. This opens the
Electrode Check feature. If your Electrode Checker panel and
MP hardware is not compatible, displays skin resistance in k ohm.
this feature will not be available.
Please contact BIOPAC Technical
Support for more information on
how to enable Electrode Check
functionality.
To use:
 Make sure the SS2L is
plugged into the MP unit’s Fig. 3.6
Electrode Check input.
IMPORTANT
 Click Check Electrode
Certain subjects may not fall Impedance button.
below the 10 K ohm reading. This  Ideally, both readings
reading is subject to individual should be similar and
variations in skin conductivity and below 10 k ohm. (See Fig.
electrode placement. 3.6.)
 When finished, be sure to
remove the SS2L from the
Electrode Check input and
plug into the CH 1 input
before continuing (right).

3. Click Calibrate.
4. During Calibration Subject must:
 Remain seated, relaxed and still,
with eyes closed.
 Wait for Calibration to stop. Calibration lasts eight seconds.
5. Verify recording resembles the example The baseline should be relatively stable around 0 uV.
data.
 If similar, click Continue and
proceed to Data Recording.
 If necessary, click Redo
Calibration.

Fig. 3.7 Example Calibration data

If the data shows excessive baseline drift or large spikes, make sure the
electrodes are making good contact with the scalp and that the cables are
not pulling on the electrodes.
END OF CALIBRATION Click Redo Calibration and repeat Steps 3 – 5 if necessary.
©BIOPAC Systems, Inc. L03 – Electroencephalography (EEG) I Page P-5

C. DATA RECORDING
FAST TRACK Recording Detailed Explanation of Recording Steps
1. Prepare for the recording. This lesson will record the “raw” (full bandwidth) EEG while the
 Subject remains seated, relaxed and Subject is relaxed with eyes closed, eyes opened, and eyes closed again.
still, with eyes closed. The alpha, beta, delta and theta channels are simultaneously recorded,
but are hidden by default. Hidden channels may be displayed during the
 Review recording steps. recording by holding down the “Alt” (PC) or “Option” (Mac) key when
clicking on the channel button.
To work efficiently, read this entire section before recording, or review
onscreen Tasks to preview recording steps in advance.
Hints for obtaining optimal data:
 Subject should be seated and relaxed to keep muscles still,
especially facial muscles. (Do not talk.)
 Subject must try not to blink during “Eyes Open” portion of
recording.
 Subject should try to relax mentally; i.e. think of a relaxing
place.
2. Click Record. Note: Display > Autoscale Waveforms
and Autoscale Horizontal are available
DURING recordings to allow scale
changes if necessary.

 Subject remains seated, relaxed and The Director instructs Subject to change the eye condition for 20-
still, with eyes closed. second intervals, and inserts an event marker at each change.
 Record for 20 seconds. First 20 seconds (secs. 0 – 20)
 Director presses F4 and cues Subject is relaxed, with eyes closed for the first 20 seconds.
Subject to open eyes. Next 20 seconds (secs. 21 – 40)
 Record for an additional 20 seconds. Director presses F4 to insert a marker labeled “Eyes Open” and
 Director presses F5 and cues cues Subject to open eyes and try not to blink for the next 20
Subject to close eyes. seconds.
 Record for an additional 20 seconds. After another 20 seconds (secs. 41 – 60)
Director presses F5 to insert a marker labeled “Eyes Closed” and
cues Subject to close eyes for the next 20 seconds.
3. Click Suspend.
 CH 1 EEG
4. Verify recording resembles the example CH 40 alpha
data. CH 41 beta
 If similar, click Continue and CH 42 delta
CH 43 theta
proceed to the optional recording
section, or click Done to finish.
 If necessary, click Redo.
Fig. 3.8 Example data
Verify recording shows variation between the
“Eyes Open” and “Eyes Closed” recordings.
Note: To check the data, it may be necessary to
show one or more of the hidden frequency bands.
To activate, hold down the Alt (PC) or Option
Recording continues… (Mac) key when clicking on the channel button.
Page P-6 L03 – Electroencephalography (EEG) I Biopac Student Lab 4

If recording does not resemble the Example Data

 If the data is noisy or flatline, check all connections to the MP unit.
 If there is excessive baseline drift or large spikes:
 Check that electrodes are making good contact with the scalp, cap or
wrap is snug and that the cables are not pulling on the electrodes.
 Subject must remain as still as possible.
 Try relaxation techniques, such as slow breathing or relaxing
muscles.
Click Redo and repeat Steps 2 – 4 if necessary. Note that once Redo is
clicked, the most recent recording will be erased.

OPTIONAL ACTIVE LEARNING PORTION With this lesson you may record additional data by clicking Continue
following the last recording. Design an experiment to test or verify a
scientific principle(s) related to topics covered in this lesson. Although
you are limited to this lesson’s channel assignments, the electrodes may
be moved to different locations on the Subject.
Design Your Experiment
Use a separate sheet to detail your experiment design, and be sure to
address these main points:
A. Hypothesis
Describe the scientific principle to be tested or verified.
B. Materials
List the materials you will use to complete your investigation.
C. Method
Describe the experimental procedure—be sure to number each
step to make it easy to follow during recording.
Run Your Experiment
D. Set Up
Set up the equipment and prepare the subject for your experiment.
E. Record
Use the Continue, Record and Suspend buttons to acquire as many
recordings as necessary for your experiment.
Click Done when you have completed all of the recordings required
for your experiment.
Analyze Your Experiment
F. Set measurements relevant to your experiment and record the
results in a Data Report.
5. After clicking Done, choose an option and If choosing the Record from another Subject option:
click OK.  Continue the entire lesson from Setup Step 4.
6. Remove electrodes. Remove cap or wrap, the electrode cable pinch connectors, and peel off
all electrodes. Discard the electrodes. (BIOPAC electrodes are not
reusable.) Wash the electrode gel residue from the skin, using soap and
water. The area around the electrode sites may remain red for a few
hours, which is quite normal.

END OF RECORDING