EEG: A Century of Neuroscience TransformationEEG: A Century of Neuroscience Transformation The invention of electroencephalography (EEG) in 1924 has profoundly impacted neuroscience and medicine. Erika Nyhus, a cognitive neuroscientist, recently published an article in The Conversation reflecting on its 100th anniversary and exploring its significant contributions. Since its inception, EEG has provided researchers with insights into cognition, from perception to memory, and has played a crucial role in diagnosing and treating brain disorders such as epilepsy. Nyhus’s research focuses on using EEG to study how people recall past events. The article outlines the historical development of EEG, from its humble beginnings to its current advanced applications. It highlights its use in diagnosing brain disorders, such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease, and in guiding treatment decisions. Looking ahead, Nyhus predicts that EEG will continue to play a transformative role in neuroscience. She anticipates its use in developing targeted treatments for brain disorders and in enhancing cognitive function through home and virtual reality applications. Nyhus concludes by emphasizing the vast potential of EEG, stating, “The possibilities are enormous.” As research continues, this groundbreaking technology promises to further revolutionize our understanding of the brain and pave the way for improved diagnosis, treatment, and enhancement of brain function.
Erika Nyhus
Since its first application in July 1924, when Hans Berger made the first human EEG recording during a neurosurgery on a 17-year-old boy, the technology has shaped researchers’ understanding of cognition, from perception to memory, Nyhus writes. He adds that the technology has also been important in diagnosing and guiding treatment for several brain disorders, including epilepsy.
Nyhus, a cognitive neuroscientist who uses EEG to study how people remember events from their past, published the article “From diagnosing brain disorders to cognitive enhancement, 100 years of EEG have transformed neuroscience” in The Conversation, which was picked up by several media outlets, including Popular science, Houston ChronicleYahoo News and others.
“The 100th anniversary of the EEG is an opportunity to reflect on the significance of this discovery for neuroscience and medicine,” Nyhus writes in the piece, which explores the history of the EEG, how it’s used today, including in diagnosing and treating brain disorders, and what the technique might do in the future.
“Some researchers, including myself, predict that we will use EEG to diagnose brain disorders and create targeted treatments. Others expect that affordable, portable EEG will be widely used to improve cognitive function at home or be seamlessly integrated into virtual reality applications. The possibilities are enormous.”
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