What is EEG
EEG, or Electroencephalography, is a medical test that measures and records the electrical activity of the brain. This non-invasive procedure involves placing small electrodes on the scalp, which detect and amplify the electrical signals produced by neurons (nerve cells) in the brain.
The resulting recordings, known as EEG traces or brainwaves, provide valuable information about brain function and can help in the diagnosis and management of various neurological conditions.Visit our Clinic or Book Appointment For More Information!
Common types of EEG
Routine EEG:
- Description: This is the standard and most common form of EEG. It involves recording brain activity during a specific period of time, typically 20-30 minutes, while the individual is at rest with their eyes close and then open.
- Purpose: It is use to assess overall brain function and detect abnormalities in the electrical activity.
Ambulatory EEG:
- Description: In ambulatory EEG, the person wears a portable EEG recording device for an extende period, usually 24 hours or more, while going about their daily activities.
- Purpose: This type of EEG is helpful for capturing intermittent or rare events, such as seizures, that may not be observed during a routine EEG.
Video EEG Monitoring:
- Description: Video EEG monitoring combines continuous EEG recording with simultaneous video recording of the individual’s behavior. It is often used in epilepsy monitoring units.
- Purpose: It helps to correlate specific EEG patterns with observable behaviors, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy.
Sleep EEG:
- Description: EEG recordings are specifically conducte during different stages of sleep. Sleep is typically divide into stages such as NREM (non-rapid eye movement) and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.
- Purpose: It provides valuable information about sleep architecture and can help diagnose sleep disorders.
EEG procedure
1. Preparation:
- Discuss with the Patient:
- Explain the procedure to the patient, including the purpose and duration.
- Provide information about the need to wash their hair before the test (without using any conditioner or styling products).
- Medical History:
- Obtain relevant medical history, especially information about any medications the patient is taking.
2. Electrode Placement:
- Scalp Preparation:
- The technician will measure the head and mark specific locations for electrode placement.
- The technician may use a mild abrasive gel to prepare the scalp for optimal electrode contact.
- Electrode Application:
- Electrodes (small metal discs) are attache to the scalp using a conductive gel or paste.
- The number and placement of electrodes vary, but a standard setup involves about 20 electrodes positione across different areas of the scalp.
3. Recording:
- Resting State Recording:
- The patient is typically asked to sit or lie down in a comfortable position with their eyes close for a baseline recording.
- Subsequently, they may be aske to open their eyes for another recording.
- Activation Procedures:
- Additional recording may involve certain activation procedures, such as deep breathing, hyperventilation, or exposure to specific stimuli (e.g., flashing lights).
- These procedures help provoke specific brain responses that can aid in diagnosis.
4. Monitoring and Observation:
- Video Recording:
- In some cases, the EEG may be recorde simultaneously with video monitoring of the patient’s behavior.
- This combination helps correlate EEG findings with observable events or seizures.
- Technician Observation:
- The EEG technician monitors the recording in real-time to ensure data quality and may ask the patient to remain still during the procedure.