This project demonstrates an open-loop alpha monitoring workflow using the NeuraDock EEG Workstation, a 7-channel dry-electrode EEG platform for researchers, developers, and neurotechnology teams.
The goal is to combine wearable light stimulation with real-time EEG monitoring and offline analysis. A wearable light stimulation device runs a preset script, while NeuraDock records EEG activity and visualizes an alpha-related proxy metric in real time.
This is not a closed-loop neurofeedback system yet. The stimulation does not change based on EEG feedback in real time. Instead, this workflow helps us observe how the brain responds during predefined stimulation and build a data foundation for future closed-loop EEG systems.
Why Open-Loop Monitoring?In an ideal closed-loop neurostimulation system, the brain’s real-time state would directly influence the next stimulation parameter.
But before building that kind of closed-loop system, we first need to understand a more basic question:
What EEG changes can be observed when a predefined stimulation script is applied?
That is the role of open-loop monitoring.
In this workflow, the stimulation pattern is predefined. It does not adapt to EEG feedback during the session. However, NeuraDock records EEG activity at the same time, allowing us to inspect the brain’s response during and after the stimulation process.
This makes open-loop monitoring useful for:
- Observing stimulation-associated EEG changes
- Checking whether the experiment is running as expected
- Recording raw EEG data for offline analysis
- Building future models for closed-loop control
The system includes three main parts:
- Sensing UnitNeuraDock records 7-channel dry-electrode EEG signals, mainly from visual-related posterior areas.
- Modulation UnitA wearable light stimulation device runs a preset stimulation script.
- Control UnitThe control software sends stimulation commands, records event markers, receives EEG data, and sends the EEG stream into two analysis pipelines.
The key idea is:
One EEG stream. Two analysis pipelines.
The online pipeline provides real-time process monitoring, while the offline pipeline supports deeper post-session analysis.
Online Pipeline: Real-Time Alpha Trend MonitoringThe online pipeline is designed for speed and visibility.
During the stimulation session, the system visualizes an alpha-related proxy metric in real time. In the video demo, this appears as a real-time trend chart.
This metric should be understood as a process-monitoring signal, not a final diagnosis or clinical conclusion.
[Insert image or video frame: real-time alpha trend / relaxation index dashboard. Caption: “Online alpha trend monitoring during wearable light stimulation.”]
The online pipeline helps the experimenter see whether the session is running as expected. It is similar to a flight dashboard: it does not provide the full interpretation, but it gives immediate feedback about the current process.
Offline Pipeline: Alpha Power and Coherence AnalysisAfter the session, the recorded EEG data can be analyzed offline.
In this demo, the offline analysis compares three conditions:
- Eyes open
- Eyes closed
- Eyes closed with light stimulation
The analysis focuses on alpha-band activity, including alpha power and alpha-band coherence.
Alpha power is used to inspect how activity in the alpha frequency range changes across conditions. Alpha-band coherence is used to estimate how consistently two EEG channels maintain a phase relationship within the alpha band.
In simple terms, higher coherence suggests that two channels are oscillating together more consistently within the selected frequency range.
In this single-session demo, the stimulation condition showed stronger alpha-band synchronization patterns in selected channel pairs. This suggests that the workflow can be used to inspect stimulation-associated EEG dynamics.
We do not present this as a clinical or therapeutic result. Instead, we treat it as an exploratory workflow for combining stimulation, EEG monitoring, event recording, and offline signal analysis.
Hemispheric Alpha AsymmetryWe also explored hemispheric alpha asymmetry as an additional offline metric.
The asymmetry index is calculated as:
log(right alpha power) - log(left alpha power)
This type of analysis can help researchers inspect how alpha power balance changes across conditions. In this demo, it is used as an exploratory feature rather than a cognitive-state or clinical claim.
Because this analysis is more detailed and interpretation-sensitive, we treat it as a supporting offline analysis rather than the main result of the demo.
What This Demo ShowsThis project shows how NeuraDock can be used as the sensing layer in an open-loop stimulation experiment.
The demo includes:
- 7-channel dry-electrode EEG recording
- Wearable light stimulation
- Event-aligned EEG monitoring
- Real-time alpha-related trend visualization
- Offline alpha power analysis
- Offline alpha-band coherence analysis
- Exploratory hemispheric alpha asymmetry analysis
The key point is not to claim that a specific stimulation protocol produces a validated therapeutic effect. The key point is to demonstrate a practical workflow for observing EEG dynamics during predefined stimulation.
Why This MattersFuture closed-loop EEG systems require reliable sensing, synchronized stimulation timing, real-time process monitoring, and offline model-building.
This demo is an early step toward that direction.
By combining NeuraDock’s dry-electrode EEG recording with wearable stimulation and dual-pipeline analysis, researchers and developers can begin to explore how external stimulation protocols are associated with measurable EEG changes.
LimitationsThis is an exploratory demo, not a clinical validation study.
The current workflow shows how to monitor alpha-related EEG trends and perform offline analysis, but it does not prove a therapeutic effect. More participants, repeated sessions, controlled protocols, and statistical validation would be required for stronger claims.
What Comes NextWe are continuing to build more NeuraDock workflows, including SSVEP, motor imagery, visual reconstruction, signal quality checking, marker workflows, and AI-assisted EEG analysis.
NeuraDock is now on Crowd Supply prelaunch. Subscribe to follow the launch, get updates, and support a more accessible EEG workstation for researchers, developers, and the open neurotechnology community.
Crowd Supply:https://www.crowdsupply.com/neuradock/neuradock-eeg-workstation
Website:https://www.neuradock.com
GitHub:https://github.com/Neuradock
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