OverviewAn electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp. Brain cells communicate via electrical impulses and are active all the time, even during asleep. This activity shows up as wavy lines on an EEG recording. Show
An EEG is one of the main diagnostic tests for epilepsy. An EEG can also play a role in diagnosing other brain disorders. Why it's doneAn EEG can find changes in brain activity that might be useful in diagnosing brain disorders, especially epilepsy or another seizure disorder. An EEG might also be helpful for diagnosing or treating:
An EEG might also be used to confirm brain death in someone in a persistent coma. A continuous EEG is used to help find the right level of anesthesia for someone in a medically induced coma. More Information
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unsubscribe link in the e-mail. RisksEEGs are safe and painless. Sometimes seizures are intentionally triggered in people with epilepsy during the test, but appropriate medical care is provided if needed. How you prepareFood and medicationsTake your usual medications unless instructed otherwise. Other precautions
What you can expectDuring the testYou'll feel little or no discomfort during an EEG. The electrodes don't transmit any sensations. They just record your brain waves. Here are some things you can expect to happen during an EEG:
Ambulatory EEGs (aEEGs) allow for longer monitoring outside an office or a hospital setting. But these types of EEGs aren't always an option. This test can record brain activity over several days, which increases the chances of recording during seizure activity. However, compared with inpatient video EEG monitoring, an ambulatory EEG is not as good at determining the difference between epileptic seizures and nonepileptic seizures. After the testThe technician removes the electrodes or cap. If you didn't have a sedative, you should feel no side effects after the procedure. You should be able to return to your typical routine. If you used a sedative, it will take time for the medication to begin to wear off. Arrange to have someone drive you home. Once you're at home, rest and don't drive for the rest of the day. ResultsDoctors trained to analyze EEGs interpret the recording and send the results to the doctor who ordered the EEG. You might need to schedule an office appointment to discuss the results of the test. If possible, bring along a family member or friend to the appointment to help you remember the information you're given. Write down questions to ask your doctor, such as:
Clinical trialsExplore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. EEG (electroencephalogram)
Which of the following technologies would you use to track brain function and processing?The three most common and most frequently used measures are functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG). Of these methods, EEG is the most versatile and cost-efficient solution.
Which imaging technique can provide information about brain function?Researchers use a variety of neuroimaging tools to study the brain. Computed tomography (CT) scans are oblique X-ray slices that show the density of brain structures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses changes in electrically charged molecules in a magnetic field to form images of the brain.
Which of the following brain imaging techniques is considered the most effective?Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) fMRI is one of the most recently developed forms of neuroimaging technique. Since the early 1990s, fMRI has become the dominant method in cognitive neuroscience because of its low invasiveness, lack of radiation exposure, and relatively wide availability.
Which two methods of studying the brain reveal brain activity quizlet?EEG (Electroencephalogram) Measures brain waves. ... . CAT Scan. Just a really sophisticated x-ray of the brain. ... . MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Gives us the most detailed picture of the brain. ... . PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography) The best way for us to see activity in the brain. ... . Functional MRI.. |