An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test used to evaluate the electrical activity in your brain. Brain cells communicate with each other through electrical impulses. An EEG can be used to help detect potential problems associated with this activity. Show
An EEG tracks and records brain wave patterns. Small flat metal discs called electrodes are attached to your scalp with wires. The electrodes analyze the electrical impulses in your brain and send signals to a computer that records the results. The electrical impulses in an EEG recording look like wavy lines with peaks and valleys. These lines allow doctors to quickly assess whether there are abnormal patterns. Irregularities may be a sign of seizures or other brain disorders. EEGs have been used since 1929 to detect problems in the electrical activity of the brain that are associated with certain brain disorders. The measurements given by an EEG are used to confirm or rule out various conditions, including:
When someone is in a coma, an EEG may be performed to determine their level of brain activity. The test can also be used to monitor activity during brain surgery. EEG is usually painless and very safe. If an EEG does not produce any abnormalities, stimuli such as strobe lights, or rapid breathing may be added to help induce any abnormalities. When someone has epilepsy or another seizure disorder, there’s a small risk that the stimuli presented during the test (such as a flashing light) may cause a seizure. The technician performing the EEG is trained to safely manage any situation that might occur. Hyperventilation is also commonly induced during an EEG to produce abnormalities. Some people may not be able to hyperventilate safely, such as people with a history of stroke, asthma, or sickle cell anemia. Factors that could interfere with an EEG readingSeveral types of movements can potentially cause “artifacts” on an EEG recording that mimic brain waves. The person responsible for interpreting your EEG will take these movements into account. They include:
Other factors that can influence your EEG reading include:
Before the test, you should take the following steps:
An EEG measures the electrical impulses in your brain by using several electrodes attached to your scalp. An electrode is a conductor through which an electric current enters or leaves. The electrodes transfer information from your brain to a machine that measures and records the data. Specialized technicians administer EEGs at hospitals, doctor’s offices, and laboratories. The test usually takes roughly 30 to 60 minutes to complete and involves the following steps:
During the test, very little electricity passes between the electrodes and your skin, so you’ll feel very little to no discomfort. In some instances, a person may undergo a 24-hour EEG. These EEGs use video to capture seizure activity. The EEG may show abnormalities even if the seizure does not occur during the test. However, it does not always show past abnormalities related to a seizure. After the test is complete, the technician will remove the electrodes from your scalp. You can continue with your regular routine. However, if you were given a sedative, the medication will remain in your system for a little while. This means that you may need to have someone with you to take you home after the test. You’ll need to rest and avoid driving until the medication wears off. A neurologist (someone who specializes in nervous system disorders) interprets the recordings from the EEG and then sends the results to your doctor. Your doctor may schedule an appointment to go over the test results with you. Normal resultsElectrical activity in the brain appears in an EEG as a pattern of waves. Different levels of consciousness, like sleeping and waking, have a specific range of frequencies of waves per second that are considered normal. For example, the wave patterns move faster when you’re awake than when you’re asleep. The EEG will show if the frequency of waves or patterns is normal. Abnormal resultsAbnormal EEG results may be due to:
It’s very important to discuss your test results with your doctor. Before you review the results, it may be helpful to write down any questions you might want to ask. Be sure to speak up if there’s anything about your results that you don’t understand. An EEG is a test that measures your brain waves and helps detect abnormal brain activity. The results of an EEG can be used to rule out or confirm conditions, such as epilepsy, a brain tumor, or a stroke. EEGs are generally safe and painless, but there’s a small risk of having a seizure during the test if you have epilepsy and flashing lights are used during the test. It’s important to let your doctor know if you’ve had a seizure triggered by flashing lights in the past before receiving an EEG. Which method of studying the brain records the electrical activity of the brain?An EEG records the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes affixed to the scalp. EEG results show changes in brain activity that may be useful in diagnosing brain conditions, especially epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
What technique measures electrical activity in the brain?EEG: Measuring Electrical Activity in the Brain
These signals go up and down in intensity, resembling waves: these are your brain waves. We can measure brain waves using a technique known as electroencephalography (EEG), in which small detectors, called electrodes, are placed on a person's head [1].
What is the study of brain activity called?Cognitive Psychology Explores Our Mental Processes
Cognitive psychologists, sometimes called brain scientists, study how the human brain works — how we think, remember and learn. They apply psychological science to understand how we perceive events and make decisions.
Which of the following is a recording technique used to study the brain?electroencephalography, technique for recording and interpreting the electrical activity of the brain. The nerve cells of the brain generate electrical impulses that fluctuate rhythmically in distinct patterns.
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