What happens to the amplitude of waveforms when interelectrode distances are increased?

When interelectrode distances are increased, the amplitude of waveforms typically increases. This phenomenon can be attributed to a couple of factors. First, with a wider spacing between electrodes, there is a greater area for the electric field to interact with the underlying tissue, which can lead to a stronger signal being recorded. This is particularly relevant in neuromonitoring where increased distances can decrease the effects of ambient noise and other interference, allowing the true signal to be captured more effectively.

Additionally, wider interelectrode distances can improve the spatial resolution of the signal, allowing the system to pick up more significant potentials from deeper structures or those that are more localized. This can contribute to an overall increase in the amplitude of the recorded waveforms, reflecting a clearer and more pronounced electrical activity from the regions of interest.

In contrast, other options suggest a decrease or stability in amplitude, which do not account for the enhancing effects of increased interelectrode distance on signal capture. Fluctuation in amplitude does not accurately describe the outcome as increased distances lead to more consistent and amplified signals rather than undefined variations.