Effect of skull resistivity on the relative sensitivity distributions of EEG and MEG measurements

We have previously published calculations which show that, contrary to what has been believed, despite the high resistivity of the skull the spatial sensitivity of magnetoencephalography, MEG, is no better than that of electroencephalography, EEG. The-results were based on the widely used Rush-Driscoll head model, where skull resistivity is considered to be 80 times that of the brain and the scalp. Recent research indicated that the skull resistivity is only about 15 times that of the brain and scalp. Calculations of EEG sensitivity distributions with this value show that EEG has considerably better spatial resolution than MEG. Since clinical recordings are not in conflict with such a result, the conclusion can be considered reliable. The finding supports use of high-resolution EEG as a research and clinical tool in recording the electric activity of the brain.