What is the function of an electroencephalogram (EEG)?

The electroencephalogram (EEG) is utilized primarily to detect electrical activity in the brain. By placing electrodes on the scalp, an EEG records the electrical impulses generated by neurons as they communicate with one another. This method provides important information about how brain regions are functioning at a given moment and allows for the monitoring of brain activity during various tasks or states, such as sleep or cognitive tasks.

In contrast, other techniques mentioned, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or functional MRI (fMRI), focus on imaging and mapping brain structures or measuring blood flow, respectively, and are not directly concerned with the electrical signals produced by neuronal activity. The biochemical changes referenced are more akin to methods like positron emission tomography (PET), which tracks specific molecules or metabolic activities in the brain rather than direct neuronal electrical activity. Therefore, the precise function of the EEG as a tool for measuring electrical activity gives it a distinctive role in both clinical and research settings.