This article describes the setup and procedures for conducting transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with EEG recording. The focus is on ensuring optimal electrode contact and impedance for accurate brain activity measurements.
Begin with a human participant fitted with a reference transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) electrode placed on the shoulder.
Another tACS electrode is positioned on the head with a centrally marked spot.
Pre-applied EEG conductive gel on the head electrode lowers impedance and improves current transmission.
Mount an EEG cap and secure it.
Using a syringe, apply EEG gel to the EEG electrodes to establish contact with the scalp.
Near the tACS site, angle the needle tip away from the tACS electrode to avoid the gel bridging between the tACS and EEG electrodes.
Gently press down the electrodes to avoid gel leakage and monitor the impedance.
Use a wooden stick to compress the gel toward the scalp. This improves electrode contact and further lowers the impedance.
The participant is ready for sinusoidal stimulation via the tACS electrode and simultaneous EEG recording of brain activity.
Gently mount the EEG cap again, and fasten the strap. Apply EEG gel with appropriate viscosity to the EEG electrodes to create contact between the scalp and EEG electrodes.
Begin with the ground and reference EEG electrodes, and then proceed to the electrodes located in the middle and near the tACS electrode. Then continue with the remaining electrodes. For EEG electrodes surrounding the tACS electrode, inject gel with the needle tip pointing in a direction away from the tACS electrode.
Gently push down the EEG electrodes while applying gel, so that gel does not escape from beneath the electrodes. To increase the contact between the EEG electrodes and the scalp, in particular EEG electrodes located in the vicinity of the tACS electrode, push down the gel with a wooden stick towards the scalp. Keep the angle of the stick orthogonal to the scalp while gently rubbing the scalp in a rotating motion as sideways movements of the stick will spread out the gel under the electrode.
Once optimal impedance has been achieved, apply some more gel to stabilize the contact between the EEG electrode and the scalp.