When we think of brain research, high-tech scanners and advanced laboratories usually come to mind. One of the most effective tools for examining the brain’s inner workings, however, has a fascinating history spanning more than a century. Electroencephalography (EEG) remains a powerful and widely used method for observing the brain’s electrical activity, evolving alongside scientific progress and medical innovation.
It all began in 1924, when a German psychiatrist named Hans Berger made a groundbreaking discovery when he recorded the brain’s electrical activity in a non-invasive manner. Using a string galvanometer and electrodes placed on the scalp of patients, he captured rhythmic oscillations that he called alpha waves. This marked the birth of EEG. Despite facing initial skepticism regarding his findings, Berger’s work laid the foundation for a new era in neuroscience.
By the 1930s, Electroencephalography (EEG) was recognized as a valuable diagnostic tool for neurologic disorders such as epilepsy. Seizures often revealed themselves as dramatic electrical disturbances in brain waves patterns. Researchers soon began classifying the different brain waves patterns- delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma- each linked to various mental states such as sleep, alertness, relaxation, and deep focus. In the decades that followed, the use of EEG continued to expand, being used to explore sleep cycles, monitor anesthesia, cognitive studies, and experimentation with early brain computer interfaces (BCIs). Modern practices often integrate EEG with other neuro testing techniques like fMRI, providing a comprehensive understanding of brain function.
In the 1980s, the introduction of digital EEG systems allowed for better data collections and analysis, marking the transition from analog to digital recordings. Digital EEG has transformed the ways we record, interpret, and utilize brainwave data, providing enhanced speed, precision, and valuable insight to both healthcare professionals and researchers in real time. Modern technology has allowed EEG to extend beyond traditional hospitals and research settings. Today, portable EEG devices that are used for a variety of purposes, including neurofeedback therapy, mental performance tracking, sleep studies, and even gaming and meditation apps.
Electroencephalography has undeniably transformed the landscape of neuroscience since its inception in the early 20th century. From Hans Berger’s groundbreaking recordings of alpha waves to the sophisticated digital EEG systems of today, this technology has provided invaluable insights into how the brain’s electrical activity works. It has evolved from being doubted to becoming a key tool in modern medicine highlighting the remarkable progress of brain research. As we continue using EEG in various fields—ranging from clinical diagnostics to cognitive enhancement—we are discovering new ways to understand the human mind. Ultimately benefiting individual wellbeing and enriching scientific knowledge.
Written by: Kena Oatis, R.EEG.T., CLTM
