Spectral Activity
Signal power across different frequency bands.
From EEG SignalTo Another Dimension of Understanding the Brain
NDS is the system ZENITH Kid's Center uses to record, analyze, and display the brain's electrical activity captured by EEG.
It helps our specialist team combine neurophysiology data with developmental assessment, behavior, and clinical evaluation.
What Is EEG?
Electroencephalography, or EEG, is a technique for recording the electrical activity generated by large populations of neurons, picked up through electrodes or sensors placed on the scalp.
EEG has long been used in both clinical practice and neuroscience research.
One of its strengths is the ability to track changes in brain signals at a very fine time resolution.
From EEG to NDS
Data → Analysis → Visualization → Clinical Integration
01
EEG Acquisition
Recording electrical activity from the scalp.
02
Signal Processing
Processing the data according to NDS's systems and protocol.
03
Visualization
Displaying the data visually to help identify patterns in it.
04
Interpretation
The specialist team reviews the data alongside other assessment results.
05
Individual Planning
Using the overall picture from assessment to help set individualized goals.
Data Visualization
Making complex data easier to see
EEG data is a highly detailed signal.
Displaying it visually helps the team communicate about it and identify patterns more easily.
That said, these images should not be interpreted as a “photo of the brain” the way an MRI or CT scan is.
It is a visualization built from EEG data that the system has processed.
What EEG Research Studies
In neuroscience, researchers use EEG to study several kinds of variables, such as:
Functional Connectivity
Patterns of relationship in signals between different areas or channels.
Temporal Dynamics
How the signal changes over time.
Event-Related Activity
The brain's response to a stimulus or task under a defined protocol.
This data helps researchers study brain mechanisms and differences between study groups.
EEG and Child Development
Research has studied EEG patterns across a range of neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder.
A systematic review by Gurau, Bosl, and Newton compiled 40 studies on ASD and reported group differences across multiple analysis methods, such as spectral power, functional connectivity, and information dynamics.
But differences found at the group-research level do not mean an individual child's EEG can automatically be used to confirm a diagnosis.
IMPORTANT SECTION
NDS/EEG Is Not a Diagnosis on Its Own
ZENITH Kid's Center does not recommend interpreting brainwave data in isolation from other information.
Assessing a child should draw on multiple sources of information, including:
- Clinical History
- Developmental Assessment
- Behavior
- Observation
- Family Information
- EEG/NDS Data, where appropriate
Diagnosing Autism, ADHD, or other developmental conditions must be carried out by a qualified specialist using appropriate clinical criteria and tools.
Research References
- 1.
Gurau O, Bosl WJ, Newton CR. How Useful Is Electroencephalography in the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Delineation of Subtypes: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2017;8:121.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NDS the same as an MRI?
No. MRI is an imaging technology that produces images of the brain's structure or physical properties, while NDS in this context uses data from EEG.
Is the image an actual picture of the brain?
It should be understood as EEG data that has been processed and displayed as a visualization, not an anatomical brain photo the way an MRI is.
Does EEG send electrical current into the brain?
Standard EEG recording only picks up signals; it does not stimulate the brain with electrical current.
Can NDS be used to diagnose Autism?
NDS/EEG alone should not be used to diagnose Autism.
Technology Has Value
When Used Alongside Clinical Expertise
Learn how NDS data can be part of a child's assessment at ZENITH Kid's Center.