Electroencephalogram

/ɪˌlɛktroʊɛnˈsɛfələɡræm/ noun

Definition

A recording of the electrical activity in the brain, created by placing electrodes on the scalp to detect tiny electrical signals from brain cells.

Etymology

From electro- + encephalo- (from Greek enkephalos 'brain') + -gram (recording). Developed in 1924 by Hans Berger, this term combined established medical technology with the new field of studying brain electricity.

Kelly Says

An EEG (electroencephalogram) let doctors literally listen to the electrical chatter of your brain—it revealed that even sleeping brains are electrically busy, totally changing how we understand consciousness and sleep.

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