Scalp Current Density Mapping: Value and Estimation from Potential Data

Scalp current density (SCD) makes possible the identification of scalp sources and sinks of current. SCD is reference independent and its peaks and troughs are sharper than those of the scalp potential (SP). SCD, by comparison to SP, reflects mainly the activity of cortical generators. SCD mapping appears to be a valuable tool to spatially split smeared SP distribution due to simultaneously active generators. The SCD map may be computed from any sufficiently smooth mathematical SP map. An evaluation of the error of SCD estimation is given for a surface spline method of interpolation of SP. An example of the simultaneous use of SP and SCD in the analysis of somatosensory evoked data is given.