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. 2025 Mar;61(6):e70078.
doi: 10.1111/ejn.70078.

Electroencephalography (EEG) and the Quest for an Inclusive and Global Neuroscience

Affiliations

Electroencephalography (EEG) and the Quest for an Inclusive and Global Neuroscience

Faisal Mushtaq et al. Eur J Neurosci. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

The current lack of diversity in neuroimaging datasets limits the potential generalisability of research findings. This situation is also likely to have a downstream impact on our ability to translate fundamental research into effective interventions and treatments for the global population. We propose that electroencephalography (EEG) is viable for delivering truly inclusive and global neuroscience. Over the past two decades, advances in portability, affordability, and computational sophistication have created a tool that can readily reach underrepresented communities and scale across low-resource contexts-advantages that surpass those of other neuroimaging modalities. However, skepticism persists within the neuroscience community regarding the feasibility of realizing EEG's full potential for studying the brain on a global scale shortly. We highlight several challenges impeding progress, including the need to amalgamate large-scale, harmonized datasets to provide the statistical power and robust computational frameworks necessary for examining subtle differences between populations; the advancement of EEG technology to ensure high-quality data acquisition from all individuals-irrespective of hair type-and operable by nonspecialists; and the importance of engaging directly with communities to cocreate culturally sensitive and ethically appropriate research methodologies. By tackling these technical and social challenges and building on initiatives dedicated to inclusivity and collaboration, we can harness EEG's potential to deliver neuroscience genuinely representative of the global population.

Keywords: community engagement; data harmonization; electroencephalography (EEG); global neuroimaging; inclusivity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
EEG as a globally inclusive neuroscience approach. Key components supporting EEG as a globally inclusive neuroscience tool. The framework integrates hardware and computational tools, community engagement and collaboration, and global data amalgamation and harmonization to advance EEG research worldwide. These elements collectively enable the development of inclusive, scalable, and high‐impact neuroscience applications across diverse populations.

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