A low-noise amplifier like the DAM50 is an excellent choice for EEG recording in rodents. WPI's amplifiers were engineered for the bio-medical researcher. While 20-30μV of noise is common in bio-amplifiers, WPI’s DAM series amplifiers generate 0.4μV RMS (root mean squared) at 0.1-100Hz. (That’s equal to about 2μV peak to peak.) This setup shows one way such recordings could be made. The RC1 electrode works well for rats, and the EP1 is more suitable for mouse cranial application.

An amplifier, in simplest terms, is an electronic device that magnifies an input signal. However, the way an amplifier is designed to handle noise and bandwidth limitations greatly affects the quality and sustainability of the final output signal.

Dri-Ref™ reference electrodes were developed by WPI to have extremely low electrolyte leakage properties, hence the name “Dri-Ref.” In addition to this key feature, these electrodes exhibit stable and reproducible potential and low resistance. Stored in KCl when not in use, they have a long life expectancy. Low leakage is achieved by using KONBO™, a product combining modern ceramic and conductive polymer technology, as the liquid junction. Electrode resistance is low, an important consideration when making low-noise measurements.