Systems and methods for positioning an intracranial device are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the invention encompass devices configured for implantation within the body that include elements responsible for detecting and transmitting electrical activity from the surrounding tissues and fluids. The system may include associated hardware and software designed for transmitting, processing, analyzing, and displaying relevant aspects of detected electrical activity. This information can be used throughout or following an insertion procedure to optimize or confirm device position within a particular intracranial location or tissue compartment.