The primary aim of this book is to provide clinicians with the essential knowledge and theoretical foundation needed to perform digital EEG and integrate quantitative EEG (qEEG) into routine clinical practice. Readers will gain a clear understanding of the principles behind qEEG and learn how to apply some of the most widely used numerical tools for EEG analysis.
This work spans a broad spectrum--from the theoretical underpinnings of EEG biosignals to the practical application of numerical methods in real clinical cases. It is structured as a progressive journey: beginning with the origins of EEG signals, advancing through the mathematical foundations of analytical tools, and culminating in the numerical analysis of actual clinical scenarios. In this way, clinicians, including residents, will become familiar with these powerful techniques, grasp their relevance to human pathology, and acquire the skills to implement their own analytical toolbox.
Over the past few decades, the field of qEEG has expanded significantly, with numerous mathematical methods being developed. However, these tools are still rarely used in everyday clinical settings. This gap is often due to a lack of awareness and confidence among clinicians, as well as the perceived complexity of the methods. Drawing from personal experience, the author emphasizes that these tools are highly effective in routine practice and aims to share this insight with the broader neurophysiological community and allied professionals.
Despite its rigorous approach, the book is rich in clinical examples and EEG recording procedures, making it both practical and accessible.
Jesús Pastor is the Head of the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Hospital La Princesa (Madrid), which pertains to the National Reference Unit for the Treatment of Refractory Epilepsy and to the National Reference Unit for the Surgical Treatment of Movement Disorders.
He has a PhD in Medicine (Neuroscience), is specialist in Clinical Neurophysiology and expert in EEG, qEEG, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring and deep brain stimulation. Dr. Pastor is also member of the Institute for Biological Research of the same hospital (indeed Dr. Pastor is the leader of the group).
Dr. Pastor is author of more 140 articles, member of several Editorial Boards and with broad knowledge in physics and mathematics.
He has developed a numerical method for EEG analysis routinely used at his department since 2016, with more than 6000 EEG recordings analysed, what repute them among the clinicians with highest experience in the application of this techniques for the routine practice. He has co-authored several articles and 2 book chapters about the use of numerical tools for analysis of EEG in the last 5 years. Among his interest of research, it is included the development of biomarkers for psychiatric and neurological illnesses associated to cognitive decline, identification of specific bioelectrical markers of prognostic value in encephalopaties or comprehensive and effective long term EEG monitoring in intensive care-unit (ICU) patients. Especially he is focused on the response of brain-injured patients at ICU to different types of music, including classical and heavy metal. In a complementary side-way, he is applying quantitative methods to a better and easiest way to study sleep EEG recordings.
