Chapter 2 - EEG Source Analysis: Methods and Clinical Implications

Abstract

The goal of this chapter is to explain and illustrate the appeal of the blind source separation (BSS) for electroencephalography (EEG) data, focusing on neurofeedback applications. It can be conceived as a journey starting from the physical basis of EEG recordings, the concept of correlation, passing through the understanding of the blind source separation concept, to finally see why and how the technique turns out to be very useful in neurofeedback. EEG source analysis is applied purposefully in cognitive and clinical studies. More recently it has also become prominent in real-time EEG applications such as neurofeedback and brain–computer interface. EEG source analysis methods can be understood considering the theory of brain volume conduction, that is, how the current in the brain reaches the electrode sensors. It is well established that the generators of brain electric fields recordable from the scalp are macroscopic post-synaptic potentials created by assemblies of pyramidal cells of the neocortex.