Combining EEG and fNIRS in a mobile setup

In this webinar, we introduced our solutions for combining EEG and fNIRS. Reviewing the basics of both the EEG and the fNIRS signal, as well as each individual hardware setup, optimized for a fully wireless and mobile research application. We demonstrated how to combine Brain Products’ fully wireless EEG amplifier, the LiveAmp, together with the NIRSport2 from NIRx, while providing tips and tricks to make getting set up as smooth as possible. Additionally, we show you how to synchronize the two data streams with Lab Streaming Layer (LSL), as well as with hardware triggers, so you can ensure that the signals from each modality are aligned. We closed the webinar with a Q&A session to answer any remaining questions you had.



This webinar will provide a great opportunity for familiarizing yourself with the exciting combination of EEG and fNIRS. You can download the accompanying slides here: http://www.brainproducts.com/files/webinar/2021_WB_6_EEG_fNIRS.pdf



Brain Products Previous Webinars

Multimodal wearable NIRS-EEG Mobile

NIRSport2 Advantages

High powered dual LEDs 32mW maximum illumination / optional next generation APD detectors with down to 33 pW sensitivity.

Proprietary automated ultra-fast source and detector specific signal optimization.

Variable tension spring holders offering optimal scalp coupling and comfort.

Full array short-distance detectors available.

Probe-level 9-axis accelerometer(s). 

NIRSport2 system

fNIRS platform 

EEG-NIRS High signal quality

NIRS-fNIRS extensive versatility

NIRS EEG extensive versatility

NIRS wearable

NIRS-fNIRS Mobile 

Mobile NIRS-EEG wearable

Multimodal wearable NIRS-EEG Mobile

NIRS-fNIRS for future research needs

fNIRS optimal user experience

NIRS for highest Signal Quality Success in science

NIRS Modularity and Scalability

NIRS-fNIRS Modularity in divisions of 8 sources 8 detectors 

NIRSport2 the base device comes in 8 x 8 and 16 x 16

NIRSport2 up to 5 devices can be fully synchronized.

NIRS with Short distance channels

High-density arrangement with 48 sources and 48 detector arrangement with 3 connected fNIRS NIRSport2 devices.


NIRS-EEG  Multimodal EEG-NIRS Mobile

NIRS-EEG  Multimodal EEG-NIRS Mobile

NIRS-EEG  Multimodal EEG-NIRS Mobile

EEG-NIRS High signal quality

EEG-NIRS High signal quality

EEG-NIRS High signal quality

NIRS Modularity and Scalability

NIRS Modularity and Scalability

NIRS Modularity and Scalability

NIRS with Short distance channels

NIRS with Short distance channels

NIRS with Short distance channels

fNIRS optimal user experience

fNIRS optimal user experience

fNIRS optimal user experience

NIRS-fNIRS Mobile

NIRS-fNIRS Mobile

NIRS-fNIRS Mobile

NIRS-fNIRS extensive versatility

NIRS-fNIRS extensive versatility

NIRS-fNIRS extensive versatility

NIRS-fNIRS for future research needs

NIRS-fNIRS for future research needs

NIRS-fNIRS for future research needs

NIRS EEG extensive versatility

NIRS EEG extensive versatility

NIRS EEG extensive versatility

Mobile NIRS-EEG wearable

Mobile NIRS-EEG wearable

Mobile NIRS-EEG wearable

NIRS-fNIRS Modularity in divisions of 8 sources 8 detectors

NIRS-fNIRS Modularity in divisions of 8 sources 8 detectors

NIRS-fNIRS Modularity in divisions of 8 sources 8 detectors

Neuroscience 2022 Brain Support Latam

Neuroscience 2022 Brain Support Latam

Neuroscience 2022 Brain Support Latam

FALAN Federation of Latin American and Caribbean Neuroscience Societies

FALAN Federation of Latin American and Caribbean Neuroscience Societies

FALAN Federation of Latin American and Caribbean Neuroscience Societies

LATBrain A brain with science and Latin American consciousness

LATBrain A brain with science and Latin American consciousness

LATBrain A brain with science and Latin American consciousness

BrainSupport Solution for Neuroscience Researchers

BrainSupport Solution for Neuroscience Researchers

BrainSupport Solution for Neuroscience Researchers

Soluciones tecnológicas BrainSupport para la investigación neurocientífica en Sudamérica, Latinoamérica.

BrainSupport Solution for Neuroscience Researchers – Neuroscience to improve Latin American Identity. Scientific questions and experimental designs for the development of culture, behavior, perception and Latin American consciousness.

Argentina | Bolívia | Brasil | Chile | Colômbia | Costa Rica | Cuba | Equador | El Salvador | Guatemala | Haiti | Honduras | México | Nicarágua | Panamá | Paraguai | Peru | República | Dominicana | Uruguai | Venezuela |


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Neuroscience EEG Amplifier

EEG amplifiers Highlight  - The main features of Brain Products EEG Amplifier 08 16 20 32 64 96 128 160 256 channels:

The work of an EEG amplifier is quite simple to understand and can be summarized in just a few steps:

  • First, the system considers the incoming signal as the difference in electrical potential (µV) between two electrodes (i.e., differential recording principle), whereby the ground electrode (GND) is normally used as primary reference. However, to avoid the influence of non-physiological electrical noise coming from the internal ground circuitry of the amplifier, another electrode is usually chosen as baseline for all channels (i.e., the online reference channel or REF). The actual incoming signal is therefore the difference in electrical potential between each EEG channel and the online REF.

  • The signal then passes through one if not two hardware filters within the amplifier to avoid potential conversion issues. The measured signal may in fact contain very high frequencies that the Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) is not able to process, thus it is important to exclude them beforehand with a low pass (or high cutoff) filter. Additionally, some amplifiers may have a second high pass (or low cutoff) filter to remove very low frequencies; if not, all frequencies down to 0 Hz (DC) are passed on to the ADC.

  • The filtered signal is then amplified and converted from analog (i.e., continuous in time) to digital (i.e., discrete in time) by the ADC.

  • The digital signal is then transmitted to the recording computer for further processing and is eventually saved.

EEG Amplifiers Comparison


Neuroscience EEG Amplifier LiveAmp actiCHamp PLUS

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier LiveAmp actiCHamp PLUS

EEG Amplifier LiveAmp and actiCHamp PLUS

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier actiCHamp PLUS

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier actiCHamp PLUS

EEG Amplifier actiCHamp PLUS

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier actiCHamp PLUS Synbox

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier actiCHamp PLUS Synbox

EEG Amplifier actiCHamp PLUS Synbox

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier ABR Auditory Brainstem Responses

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier ABR Auditory Brainstem Responses

EEG Amplifier ABR Auditory Brainstem Responses

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier LiveAmp

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier LiveAmp

Wireless EEG Amplifier LiveAmp

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier LiveAmp Sensor Trigger Extension

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier LiveAmp Sensor Trigger Extension

Wireless EEG Amplifier LiveAmp Sensor Trigger Extension

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier BrainAmp for MR

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier BrainAmp for MR

EEG Amplifier 32, 64, 96 and 128 channels BrainAmp for MRI

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier BrainAmp EXG Sensor for MRI

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier BrainAmp EXG Sensor for MRI

Sensor for MRI BrainAmp EXG

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier BrainAmpDC Hyperscanner

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier BrainAmpDC Hyperscanner

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier for Hyperscanner

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier BrainAmp Wireless

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier BrainAmp Wireless

Wireless EEG Amplifier BrainAmp EEG MOVE Wireless

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier CGX Quick-20r

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier CGX Quick-20r

EEG Amplifier CGX Quick-20r

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier CGX Quick-32r

Neuroscience EEG Amplifier CGX Quick-32r

EEG Amplifier CGX Quick-32r

Neuroscience 2022 Sempre Melhorando

Neuroscience 2023 Sempre Melhorando

Neuroscience 2023 Sempre Melhorando

Neuroscience 2022 NIRS EEG

Neuroscience 2023 NIRS EEG

 

BrainSupport Solution for Neuroscience Researchers – Neuroscience to improve Latin American Identity. Scientific questions and experimental designs for the development of culture, behavior, perception and Latin American consciousness.

Neuroscience EEG Applications

If you plan to run regular cognitive neuroscience studies, then our recommendation for you is the actiCHamp Plus for its advanced technical features, scalability of channel count, and versatility in terms of compatible electrode technologies.

However, there may be applications for which other solutions could be a better fit or are even required, for example:

Simultaneous EEG-fMRI

Emblem EEG-fMRI

For this advanced application, the BrainAmp MR or BrainAmp MR plus are the necessary solutions for you. Both are MR Conditional (i.e., usable inside the scanner under specific recording conditions) but they will also work perfectly outside of the scanner for more regular investigations. In particular, the BrainAmp MR plus could be the perfect choice if EEG-fMRI recordings and lab-based measurements are planned, because it allows you to change resolution, measurement range and cut off frequencies based on your recording environment.

Simultaneous EEG-MEG

Emblem EEG-MEG

Compatibility with Magnetoencephalography (MEG) depends on the amplifiers’ electromagnetic emissions, which are linked to the number of ADC card(s) of the system. The BrainAmp family amplifiers are equipped with only one ADC card and therefore almost silent in terms of electromagnetic emissions. In particular, the BrainAmp MR and BrainAmp MR plus are the recommended solutions for optimal compatibility with the MEG environment.

Simultaneous EEG-fNIRS

Emblem EEG-fNIRSFor such simultaneous recordings, we recommend the actiCHamp Plus for lab-based measurements, or the LiveAmp for mobile investigations.

Simultaneous EEG and Eye Tracking

Here our recommendation is the actiCHamp Plus for lab-based measurements or the LiveAmp for mobile investigations.

Simultaneous EEG-TMS

Emblem EEG-Brain Stimulation (TMS)

The BrainAmp DC and BrainAmp MR plus have been widely used for recording EEG whilst simultaneously applying Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) thanks to their switchable internal features. Similarly, the BrainCap TMS is also highly appreciated for this application. Nevertheless, the actiCHamp Plus could now be a valid alternative for you thanks to its high sampling rates, the flexibility to combine it with active or passive gel-based electrode technologies, and the possibility of expanding your setup for real-time brain-state dependent stimulation.

Closed-loop and real-time applications

If you are interested in real-time brain-state dependent investigations (e.g., stimulation, neurofeedback, etc.) then the actiCHamp Plus together with our TurboLink is the right choice for you. All our amplifiers can in fact stream data from BrainVision Recorder to any third-party application either via RDA or LSL, but without the latency and accuracy required for advanced closed-loop investigations. The TurboLink accesses the data recorded by actiCHamp family amplifiers and transmits it reliably via Ethernet in less than 1.5 ms to any compatible online signal processor (e.g., the bossdevice RESEARCH by sync2brain).

Mobile experiments (MoBI and Sport Science)

Emblem mobile EEG

If you would like to investigate neural processes both inside and outside of the lab, maybe even during motion, then the LiveAmp is what you are looking for. Thanks to its wireless communication protocol, it gives freedom of movement whilst being able to stream the data to the recording computer. The internal memory card is an additional advantage: saving the data locally ensures no data point is lost due to unexpected communication issues. The combination of the LiveAmp with our actiCAP slim electrodes ensures high quality data even under strenuous conditions such as running or cycling.

If instead you are looking for high-coverage solutions, then the CGX Mobile systems are the right choice for you, available with 72 or 128 channels. Alternatively, if your measurements include minor movements (Marini et al., 2019), you can also consider the CGX Quick systems.

BCI and Neurofeedback

Emblem BCI

If you work in these fields and your application is less time-critical, you most likely look for a solution that is easy to handle and minimalistic, with the option to stream data to other online processing software. Even though all our amplifiers will work very nicely for you, the LiveAmp could be a very good candidate especially if coupled with electrode technologies that offer short preparation times (for example, our sponge-based R-Net caps or our active-dry actiCAP Xpress Twist). Accordingly, the CGX Quick systems could also be a good option for you thanks to their innovative design based on active dry electrodes. Both solutions will allow you to record data from many participants within a short period of time even in more realistic environment and situations.

Sleep

Emblem Sleep EEGWhen measuring brain activity during sleep, you most likely aim to keep your setup as comfortable for your participants as possible. The LiveAmp is therefore a great option: being very small and wearable, it will ensure a more natural sleep, and by connecting it to an external power bank you will be able to reach even longer recording times.

Alternatively, if more than 64 channels or higher sampling rates are required, the actiCHamp Plus will give you more flexibility and technical power whilst keeping the setup as minimal as possible.

Hyperscanning

Emblem Hyperscanning

If you would like to record the neural activity of more than one participant simultaneously, you may choose from various options. The BrainAmp family will offer you the cleanest stationary setup:  each participant is connected to dedicated amplifier unit(s) that transmit(s) to the BUA, which synchronizes the data and sends them to the recording computer with no need to further work on data re-alignment offline.

The CGX systems however are ideal for wireless hyperscanning: each amplifier will stream data to the dedicated recording computer, and synchronization can be obtained by sending the same triggers to each unit via the Wireless StimTrigger.

Alternatively, you may take advantage of the Mirror Mode of the trigger output ports of both actiCHamp Plus (stationary) and LiveAmp (mobile) to forward triggers across separate amplifier units, one for each participant. Furthermore, all our amplifiers allow for remote data access and can stream data to third-party applications like LSL, which allows the recording and synchronization of data streams from different amplifiers (read our article on this topic to learn how).

 
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* The content published here is the exclusive responsibility of the authors.


Autor:

Jackson Cionek