The impact of CSF-filled cavities on scalp EEG and its implications

Previous studies have found EEG amplitude and scalp topography differences between neurotypical and neurological/neurosurgical groups, being interpreted at the cognitive level. However, these comparisons are invariably accompanied by anatomical changes.
We simulated EEG scalp potentials for known sources using different volume conduction models: a reference model (i.e., unlesioned brain) and models with realistic cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gradually increasing in size. Magnitude and topography error between the reference and lesion models were quantified.
We conclude that the impact of a CSF-filled cavity cannot be neglected for scalp-level EEG data. Especially when group-level comparisons are made, any scalp-level attenuated, aberrant, or absent effects are difficult to interpret without considering the confounding effect of CSF.

This collection contains the input data, scripts, and forward simulated signals.
This collection belongs to Piai, V., Oostenveld, R., Schoffelen, J. M., & Piastra, M. C. (2024). The impact of CSF-filled cavities on scalp EEG and its implications. Psychophysiology, 00, e14624. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14624