Potential gradient of spike and wave temporal foci detected by vertical derivation and neo-electroencephalography.

We studied the electrical pattern of spikes and waves and unitemporal foci by compared analysis. One analysis was obtained by two conventional derivations: longitudinal plus triangular and referential to a neck electrode ('vertical derivation'). The other analysis is quantified by the same vertical derivation and by a monopolar-like computerized derivation, the Neo-EEG. With Neo-EEG we obtained a differential dissociation of the spike-and-wave type, and a better analysis of the cerebral dysfunction in temporal foci than in classical EEG. This leads to a sharper diagnosis of the disease it characterizes. This study also shows that one must be aware of the inadequacies and errors resulting from conventional recording because of the bipolar derivations.