Recording EEG From Visual Cortex Using BioAmp EXG Pill

Overview

This beginner-friendly tutorial walks you through recording EEG (electroencephalography) signals from the visual cortex at the back of your head using the BioAmp EXG Pill analog front-end board.

Hardware Required

• BioAmp EXG Pill
• Brain BioAmp Band (or gel electrodes)
• BioAmp Cable v3
• Arduino-compatible board (Maker Uno or Arduino Uno)
• Jumper cables
• Nuprep Skin Preparation Gel

How It Works

Electrodes are placed at the O1 and O2 positions (visual cortex) according to the International 10-20 EEG system. The BioAmp EXG Pill amplifies and filters the tiny brain signals, which are then digitized by the Arduino's ADC and visualized using Backyard Brains' Spike Recorder software.

Steps

1. Assemble the BioAmp EXG Pill
2. Prepare the skin at electrode sites
3. Connect electrode cables
4. Position electrodes at O1/O2 on the scalp
5. Wire connections to the Arduino board
6. Install Arduino IDE and upload the sketch
7. Install Spike Recorder software
8. Configure Spike Recorder for EEG
9. Visualize and record your brain signals

What You'll Learn

• Basics of EEG signal acquisition
• Electrode placement using the 10-20 system
• Signal visualization and recording techniques
• Fundamentals of brain biopotential signals