A short history of the EEG
- Andreas Schwaab
- Neuro
"We see in the electroencephalogram (EEG) a concomitant phenomenon of the continuous nerve processes which take place in the brain, exactly as the electrocardiogram (ECG) represents a concomitant phenomenon of the contractions of the individual segments of the heart."
- Hans Berger (1873-1941)
You might not believe it, but the idea that the brain communicates through electrical impulses is actually nothing new at all. It can be dated back as far as to the 18th century when Luigi Galvani accidentally made a frog’s leg twitch with an external electric conductor [1]. This is a general experiment that every Biology student has probably already had their own experience with. However, it wasn’t 90 years later in 1875 that the Liverpudlian Richard Caton became the first to demonstrate the existence of electrical currents in the brain through experimenting with rabbits [2]. Although he lacked the technology to preserve his recordings, he accurately observed the dynamic nature of brain waves, noting how they varied depending on whether the animal was awake, asleep, or deceased. Unaware of Catons work, Adolf Beck published similar findings in 1890. In addition to identifying spontaneous brain wave fluctuations, Beck was the first to describe evoked potentials – brain responses triggered by external sensory stimuli [3]. Their pioneering discoveries were further solidified when, in 1924, the German Hans Berger successfully recorded these electrical signals in living humans, earning him recognition as the father of electroencephalography (EEG) [4]. Berger also identified two distinct brain wave frequencies, which he named alpha and beta waves, correlating them with different levels of mental activity. Today, we know that the brain operates across multiple frequencies that interact with each other [5], with certain frequencies becoming more prominent depending on the brain region and the individual’s level of mental alertness [6].
The modern EEG - the key to real-time measurement of brain activity during training
In this century, EEG technology has advanced remarkably, both in terms of size and software capabilities. Modern EEG devices have become compact enough to be portable, utilizing wireless protocols for real-time signal acquisition [7]. This allows to measure brain activity translated in real-world applications, outside of the laboratory. For us and our elite clients, this opens up the possibility to get immediate feedback about their brain activity while they are performing. Since each brain operates with unique rhythms, this feedback provides insights into an individual’s brain function, allowing for an optimization of mental routines. Together with our professional coaching, our elite athletes, executives, and top talents can thus enhance their mental performance, leading to better outcomes under pressure.
Synchronized brains - the future of training teams?
If individual athletes can enhance their performance by optimizing mental routines based on their brain rhythms, what potential could this hold for teams that rely on collective coordination, such as e.g. pit stop crews? Imagine being able to synchronize brain waves across team members, aligning the peaks and troughs of their neural activity. Could this lead to greater harmony in their movements, resulting in faster and more efficient pit stops? Research already suggests that couples naturally have a higher inter-brain synchrony than strangers when engaging in interpersonal behavior such as social conversation [8], holding hands [9], and making music together [10].
150 years of EEG research – but still enormous potential for the future
Reflecting on the journey, we owe immense gratitude to the pioneers of EEG research, whose efforts over the centuries have made it possible to bring our neuro11 brain trainingTM from the laboratory to the sports field and meeting room, helping our clients to win trophies and perform during presentations and meetings when it matters most. The potential for future neuroscientific developments within sports is vast, and we eagerly anticipate expanding this knowledge across a broader range worldwide.
Our advice: Think about it: If you come across an unfamiliar way of using a technology that has been around for 150 years, is the technology actually crazy? Or is it just another innovative development in a century long timeline of research?
#trainyourbrain
If this article sparked your interest and you would like to know more about this or other topics, please do not hesitate to contact us via info@neuro11.de. We look forward to hearing from you.
References
[1] Wikipedia article about Luigi Galvani: Link
[2] Biography article about Richard Caton: Link
[3] Biography article about Adolf Beck: Link
[4] Wikipedia article about Hans Berger: Link
[5] Neuroscience article about brain frequencies: Link
[6] NeuroImage article about brain frequencies: Link
[7] NeuroImage article about EEG-systems: Link
[8] Nature article about inter-brain synchrony: Link
[9] Biological Sciences article about inter-brain synchrony: Link
[10] Frontiers in Psychology article about inter-brain synchrony: Link