What is the potential consequence of not properly grounding an EEG system?

Not properly grounding an EEG system can lead to increased noise and artifacts in the recordings. Grounding is essential for establishing a reference point in the electrical system of the EEG, which helps to eliminate unwanted electrical interference from the environment. When grounding is inadequate or absent, external electrical noise can corrupt the signals picked up by the electrodes, resulting in a degraded quality of the EEG data. This manifests as artifacts, which are distortions or interferences that can make it difficult for clinicians to interpret brain activity accurately.

In contrast, proper grounding aids in minimizing these disturbances, ensuring that the data collected closely represents the actual electrical activity of the brain. By enhancing the signal quality and reducing artifacts, reliable and meaningful analysis of brain function can be achieved.