Noise and Artifact
Erwin B. Montgomery · Oxford University Press eBooks · 2014
As a consequence of its ubiquity, artifact and noise, particularly, may compromise electrophysiological recordings. Indeed, a neurophysiologist’s most critical skill is the ability to distinguish noise and artifact from true neuronal electrical signals. Reduction or elimination of noise and artifact often proves difficult, but knowledge of the underlying mechanisms greatly facilitates troubleshooting. One may appreciate noise and artifact as the undesirable movement of electrons within the recording systems. Forces that move electrons include electrostatic, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields. Noise and artifact are therefore the consequence of these fields’ undesirable actions. Understanding the nature of these field leads to an understanding of the kind of artifact and noise each field generates. Knowledge of a field’s role and origin allows one to identify the potential sources of artifact and noise and for purpose of suppressing them.