What technology is used to record the electrical activity of the brain?

Electroencephalography (EEG) is the technology specifically designed to record the electrical activity of the brain. It employs electrodes placed on the scalp to detect electrical impulses produced by neuronal activity. This method provides real-time data on brain function, allowing researchers and clinicians to observe patterns of brain waves associated with various states of consciousness, sleep, and disorders such as epilepsy.

In contrast, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Computed Tomography (CT) are imaging techniques that provide structural or functional images of the brain but do not directly measure its electrical activity. MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of brain structures. PET scans visualize metabolic processes in the brain by detecting radioactive tracers, and CT utilizes X-rays to produce cross-sectional images of the brain. While all these methods are valuable in neuroscience and medicine, EEG is the only one focused on capturing the brain's electrical signals.