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Correlation between signal-to-noise ratios and region of interest sensitivity ratios of bipolar EEG measurements

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Abstract

We have developed a parameter, which describes how well the measurement is concentrated on the region of interest source area compared to other source areas in the volume conductor. The parameter concept is called the region of interest sensitivity ratio (ROISR). We assume that ROISR is also connected to the SNR of the measurement. The objective of the present study was to investigate the assumed correlation between the ROISR and SNR of the measurement with three-layer spherical head model. We studied how the source distribution and orientation affect the correlation and thus how applicable the ROISR is in analysing the sensitivity distributions of measurements. We simulated bipolar EEG-evoked potential measurements with 16 combinations of four-source distribution and four-source orientation models. The results indicate that the ROISR correlates with the SNR of the measurement with all tested source distributions and orientations. Thus the ROISRs concept can be applied to analyse measurement setups by modelling and analysing the sensitivity distributions.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Robert MacGilleon for English proof-reading. The work has been supported by grants from the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Pirkanmaa Region, the Emil Aaltonen Foundation, the Foundation of Technology Finland and the Ragnar Granit Foundation.

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Correspondence to Juho Väisänen.

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Väisänen, J., Malmivuo, J. & Hyttinen, J. Correlation between signal-to-noise ratios and region of interest sensitivity ratios of bipolar EEG measurements. Med Biol Eng Comput 46, 381–389 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-008-0321-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-008-0321-3

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