Neural coding by electroencephalography (EEG)

The central nervous system controls the motor function of the body. It consists of two parts: the brain and the spinal cord. The brain is the origin of voluntary movement control. It generates the neural signal traveling through the corticospinal tract to activate the musculoskeletal system for executing the movement. Scalp electroencephalography (EEG) is an electrophysiological monitoring method that records the neural signal generated from the brain. Measuring and analyzing the EEG signal during movement control allows the identification of motor intentions. That can help individuals suffering from damage to the corticospinal tract to regain their movement ability by building a direct communication between the brain and assisted devices (e.g., wheelchair, neuroprosthesis). This chapter introduces the mechanism of neural coding during movement by EEG and reviews the current advances in EEG measurement and analysis for identifying motor intentions.