What effect does increasing sensitivity in EEG instrumentation have?

Increasing the sensitivity of EEG instrumentation enhances the ability to detect and record brain wave activity, which results in an increased amplitude of the recorded waves. When sensitivity is heightened, the EEG machine can pick up even the smallest electrical potentials generated by neuronal activity. This means that tighter or higher sensitivity settings facilitate the capture of subtle brain wave patterns that might otherwise remain undetected at lower sensitivity levels.

It is important to note that while increasing sensitivity can make smaller signals more visible, it can also make the recordings more susceptible to noise if not properly managed. However, the primary effect of increasing sensitivity is the amplification of the signals corresponding to brain activity, allowing clinicians to analyze waveforms with greater precision.