Electroneurogram
Encyclopedia
An electroneurogram is a method used to visualize directly recorded electrical activity of neuron
s in the central nervous system
(brain, spinal cord) or the peripheral nervous system
(nerves, ganglions). The acronym ENG is often used. An electroneurogram is similar to an electromyogram (EMG), but the later is used to visualize muscular activity. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a particular type of electroneurogram in which several electrode
s are placed around the head and the general activity of the brain is recorded, without having very high resolution to distinguish between the activity of different groups of neuron
s.
An electroneurogram is usually obtained by placing an electrode
in the neural tissue. The electrical activity generated by neuron
s is recorded by the electrode and transmitted to an acquisition system, which usually allows to visualize the activity of the neuron. Each vertical line in an electroneurogram represents one neuronal action potential
. Depending on the precision of the electrode
used to record neural activity, an electroneurogram can contain the activity of a single neuron to thousands of neurons. Researchers adapt the precision of their electrode
to either focus on the activity of a single neuron
or the general activity of a group of neuron
s, both strategies having their advantages.
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
s in the central nervous system
Central nervous system
The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...
(brain, spinal cord) or the peripheral nervous system
Peripheral nervous system
The peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord. The main function of the PNS is to connect the central nervous system to the limbs and organs. Unlike the CNS, the PNS is not protected by the bone of spine and skull, or by the blood–brain...
(nerves, ganglions). The acronym ENG is often used. An electroneurogram is similar to an electromyogram (EMG), but the later is used to visualize muscular activity. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a particular type of electroneurogram in which several electrode
Electrode
An electrode is an electrical conductor used to make contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit...
s are placed around the head and the general activity of the brain is recorded, without having very high resolution to distinguish between the activity of different groups of neuron
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
s.
An electroneurogram is usually obtained by placing an electrode
Electrode
An electrode is an electrical conductor used to make contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit...
in the neural tissue. The electrical activity generated by neuron
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
s is recorded by the electrode and transmitted to an acquisition system, which usually allows to visualize the activity of the neuron. Each vertical line in an electroneurogram represents one neuronal action potential
Action potential
In physiology, an action potential is a short-lasting event in which the electrical membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises and falls, following a consistent trajectory. Action potentials occur in several types of animal cells, called excitable cells, which include neurons, muscle cells, and...
. Depending on the precision of the electrode
Electrode
An electrode is an electrical conductor used to make contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit...
used to record neural activity, an electroneurogram can contain the activity of a single neuron to thousands of neurons. Researchers adapt the precision of their electrode
Electrode
An electrode is an electrical conductor used to make contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit...
to either focus on the activity of a single neuron
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
or the general activity of a group of neuron
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
s, both strategies having their advantages.