Human Depth Electrodes

Several different techniques are currently available to neuroscientists who wish to understand how the brain functions. Each technique provides a unique perspective, adding information at a particular level of analysis. This article discusses a relatively rare opportunity to observe the activity of single neurons and small assemblies of cells in humans. Depth electrode recordings are available in only a small subset of clinical situations, namely in patients with movement disorders or intractable epilepsy. Nonetheless, these recordings have provided valuable information about the applicability of animal models to human neurophysiology and insights into the contributions of individual neurons to uniquely human cognitive processes.