electrophysiologisch

Electrophysiologisch is a German term that translates to electrophysiological in English and refers to the study and measurement of electrical activity in biological tissues, primarily the nervous system and the heart. The field combines principles of electrophysiology, physiology, and biophysics to investigate voltage changes, ion currents, and signal propagation across cells and organ systems.

The discipline originated in the late 19th century with the invention of the potentiometer and the gold-leaf electrometer, which enabled early recordings of nerve impulses and cardiac action potentials. Later developments such as the patch-clamp technique, computerized mapping, and high‑resolution electrode arrays have expanded the scope of electrophysiological research.

Electrophysiological methods include surface electrocardiography (ECG), intracardiac electrophysiology studies, wearable electroencephalography (EEG) for brain monitoring, and intracellular recording of nerve and muscle cells. In medicine, electrophysiological investigations guide the diagnosis of arrhythmias, epilepsies, and sensory disorders, and they inform therapeutic interventions such as catheter ablation and deep brain stimulation.

Modern electrophysiology often integrates with molecular genetics, imaging, and computational modeling to provide a comprehensive understanding of how electrical signals drive physiological functions. The term "electrophysiologisch" is commonly used in German-speaking medical literature to describe both the diagnostic tests and the research that explores the electrical phenomena underlying health and disease.