EEG Color Mapping (Toposcopy)—Advantages and Pitfalls, Clinical and Research Perspectives

ABSTRACT.

Many technicians and electroencephalographers (EEGers), particularly those who attend meetings, have been dazzled, perplexed, and possibly excited by the appearance of many new devices displaying the EEG and its processed result in the form of maps that are now rather commonplace at conventions. Since most of these are costly devices (Bickford and Allen 1986) many EEGers will want to know whether they should consider buying one of these instruments, whether they are for research purposes only, or have a useful and cost effective application in a neurologic practice.

These are difficult matters to evaluate partly because the attractiveness and utility of a new device is at least partly dependent on the sensibilities and clinical interests of the neurologist. However this article aims at providing some guidelines that can assist you in the choice and application of these devices in your clinical laboratory.

KEY WORDS.:

• Color maps
• data base
• digital contour mapping
• EEG
• EP
• topograms
• toposcopic display