The Johns Hopkins Atlas of Digital EEG: An Interactive Training Guide, 2nd Edition

With this second edition of a work already considered the standard textbook in digital EEG (d/EEG), these three noted epileptologists, Krauss, Fisher, and now Kaplan, have created a work that will become a classic in its field.

Building on the strengths of the first edition, the authors have continued the tradition of including clearly reproduced tracings, accompanied by concise and clear labeling and interpretation, along with a brief and well-organized discussion of electrophysiology. The textbook also includes a d/EEG reading program on DVD-ROM, which allows the user to view EEG patterns in digital form and to change the format for better viewing; it offers a narrated discussion about selected patterns and waveforms, and enables the reader to view ictal EEG activity in tandem with video recordings on the same patient. There is no better way to help students get a “feel” for d/EEG patterns in relation to clinical manifestations of disease.

The last section of the Atlas includes a series of three-dimensional brain reconstructions based on MRI images, showing EEG electrode positions and their relationship to underlying cortex. This is a big improvement over the older projections made onto skull radiographs. This section may be of particular interest to researchers considering the use of d/EEG in the study of various aspects of cognition. The multimedia nature of this work renders what can be a very dull subject interesting. One could envision the use of these materials for individual study at a workstation, or for a group at EEG reading rounds, or even in a lecture setting.

The content is certainly comprehensive enough for the beginning electroencephalographer, and, with the augmentation of pediatric d/EEG material, gets closer to the encyclopedic sort of reference needed for everyday work in the d/EEG laboratory. Would it be too much to expect, with this quality of resource available, that students in neuropsychiatry and neurology would, in the course of training, develop a basic understanding of and appreciation for d/EEG, regardless of specialty? The authors have done their part—have, in fact, raised the bar for d/EEG training and education by providing this excellent program. It remains for training directors and other educators to take up the charge.