Brain activity recorded directly from the cortex (ECoG) typically requires sensitivities in which range?

The sensitivity range of 40 to 100 µV/mm for electrocorticography (ECoG) is accurate because it allows for optimal detection and differentiation of cortical electrical activity. ECoG provides a high-fidelity recording of electrical signals directly from the cortical surface, which is crucial during neurosurgical procedures.

In this sensitivity range, the recorded potentials are large enough to ensure strong signal integrity while still being able to resolve the relevant neural activity without overwhelming amounts of noise. This is particularly important in an intraoperative setting, where monitoring of brain function is critical to avoiding damage to vital areas.

If sensitivity were set significantly outside this range, either too low or too high, it could compromise the quality of the data collected. Lower sensitivities could fail to capture the nuances of brain activity effectively, while higher sensitivities might introduce excessive artifacts and noise, making interpretation difficult. Thus, the choice of 40 to 100 µV/mm as an appropriate sensitivity level maximizes the effectiveness of ECoG in clinical practice.