From Waisman Brain Imaging Wiki

How to record EEG data using ActiveView and BioSemi

1. Preparing to record:

   For each subject, enter the following on the subject run sheet:

   • subject name
   • subject number
   • date
   • time
   • experimenter's initials
   • experiment name
   • subject's sex
   • subject's age
   • any other info required for the experiment

2. Keep the subject run sheet ready for making notes of everything and anything that happens during the experiment:

   • Note any periods when data was bad (use clock on ActiveView)
   • Note anything subject says that makes you doubt they understand the tasks
   • Note any reason you think the subject wasn't really trying or wasn't doing well
   • Note anything like the subject blinked a lot, moved their head, touched (or MOVED!) the cap
   • Note anything else...almost anything matters

3. Please name all data files as follows:

   • (Don't use "1" for a subject number....start with subject number "2") experimentName_subjectInitialsLastFourSocial_experimentNumber_date
     e.g.: prejudice_er5456_2_5-10-05
   • So, the EEG data will be: prejudice_er5456_2_5-10-05.bdf
     
   • The electrode position file willl be: prejudice_er5456_2_5-10-05.elp
   • The Eprime behavioral data file will be: prejudice_er5456_2_5-10-05_4_1.edat
     (the _4_1 are the subject and session numbers put there by eprime)

4. Spray anti-static spray around the chair and carpet that the subject will contact

5. Switch batteries:

   • Take the battery in the recording room, next (but disconnected from) the amp,
   • put it on the charger. If it is at full charge, disconnect and leave next to charger.
   • If it starts charging, let it charge while you work. You will disconnect it when you leave,
   • If you forget, the charger will switch to a safe trickle mode when the battery is full.
   • Put the battery that was by the charger on the amp, connect it.

6. Turn on system.

   (low battery will be indicated by flashing red light on amp and on ActiveView screen)

   • PLEASE NOTE: Our batteries can be damaged by disuse. They must be charged occasionally. If a battery has been sitting, just put it on the charger.

7. Make sure EEG computer and Eprime computer are on

8. Start ActiveView, push start and immediately push pause to pause recording

   Use the following settings:
   • Amplitute (Y axis) scale: 100u
   • Low pass 100, high pass .16
   • Reference:
     • Average reference for 128 channels
     • av128
   • Decimal trigger (set the trigger format to decimal)
   • File limit (2 gigs is max)
   • Decimate set to ? (512 Hz)
   • Start file
     • Save subset 128 (A1 - D32)
     • Add 8EX - turn off
     • Add displayed - turn off
   • Name the subject data file:
     • experimentName_subjectInitialsLastFourSocial_experimentNumber_date
     • example data file name: prejudice_er5456_4_5-10-05

9. Press OK

10. You will see an error message about the file path not existing. Just ignore it, and continue.

11. Save as [ the subject's data file name ]

12. Start Eprime - first program. Don't execute (Run) the Eprime program yet.

    Eprime can send a marker to make ActiveView start or stop recording EEG data. For each experiment, we use two Eprime programs. The first gives subjects instructions and practice; this one doesn't start EEG recording. The second one, when started, will send a start signal right away to start EEG recording. We do it this way, so that the timing information in the Eprime .edat data file and the timing information in the EEG data file will be synchronized, alleviating the need to compensate later. <p>So, you should set up ActiveView as above, then start Eprime, and run it when the subject sits down in the data collection room. You can collect, but not record, EEG data, to examine quality. Then, when you are happy you can run the second Eprime program to collect the actual data, and it will send a marker to tell ActiveView to start recording EEG data. You will see this happen, the indicators in the bottom right of the ActiveView screen will indicate recording is going on. If you do not have signals to start recording in your Eprime program, you can use the buttons in the bottom right corner of ActiveView to control recording, pausing, and stopping of EEG data.

13. Clean the subject's forehead well with alcohol swab or other cleaning cloth.