Time-frequency analysis of stimulus-driven EEG activity by matching pursuit

A new method of time-frequency analysis. Matching Pursuit (MP), is being applied to extraction and quantification of time-varying EEG “driving” or frequency-following responses produced in human somatosensory cortex by vibrotactile stimulation of specific points on the hand or face. The MP method uses an iterative procedure to fit local signal structures optimally in terms of waveforms selected from a large and redundant dictionary, and is especially well suited to detection and characterization of transients. Systematic differences in patterns of harmonic response components were observed between peripheral and cortical responses. The authors´ initial results illustrate the properties of the method and clearly indicate its potential as a research tool for EEG studies of human cortical dynamics