Doctors check brain activity using methods like EEG (Electroencephalography) to directly measure electrical signals, fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to see blood flow changes, and sometimes PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans with tracers, all revealing different aspects of brain function, from quick electrical spikes to metabolic activity, often to diagnose conditions like epilepsy, sleep disorders, or dementia.
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain. This test also is called an EEG. The test uses small, metal discs called electrodes that attach to the scalp. Brain cells communicate via electrical impulses, and this activity shows up as wavy lines on an EEG recording.
An EEG (electroencephalogram) is a test that tracks your brain's electrical signals. It checks for epilepsy or other brain conditions. It's painless, safe and can be done while you're awake or asleep. Your provider will use the results to help guide a diagnosis and treatment.
An EEG is a test that detects abnormalities in your brain waves, or in the electrical activity of your brain. During an EEG, electrodes are pasted onto your scalp. These are small metal disks with thin wires. They detect tiny electrical charges that result from the activity of your brain cells.
Summary. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a medical test used to measure the electrical activity of the brain. A number of electrodes are applied to your scalp. EEG can help diagnose a number of conditions including epilepsy, sleep disorders and brain tumours.
Five key signs your brain might be in trouble include significant memory loss (forgetting important things or familiar routines), difficulty with everyday tasks, confusion about time/place, problems with language/communication, and noticeable personality or mood changes, such as increased irritability or loss of interest in hobbies, which signal potential cognitive decline or neurological issues.
Abnormal results on an EEG test may be due to: Abnormal bleeding (hemorrhage) in the brain. An abnormal structure in the brain (such as a brain tumor) Tissue death due to a blockage in blood flow (cerebral infarction, also called a stroke)
Symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, also known as MCI, include trouble with memory, language and judgment. The symptoms are more serious than the memory issues that are expected as people get older. But the symptoms don't affect daily life at work or at home. The brain, like the rest of the body, changes with age.
Bosl and Bosquet Enlow found that EEG signals at age 7 most robustly distinguished children with an anxiety disorder from healthy controls. However, there were signals even at 3 and 5 years of age. Recordings from two or three time points (excluding infancy) gave much better results than the age 7 recordings alone.
Common Neurological Red Flags to Watch For
Especially if they're new, worsening, or paired with vision changes or nausea. This could be a sign of nerve dysfunction, especially in the arms, legs, or face. Difficulty walking, clumsiness, or dropping objects can point to neurological concerns.
10 Conditions Diagnosed With an EEG
Before the test, the electrodes are coated in a special gel that makes it easier to measure the electrical activity. There is no need to shave your head. Your hair should be clean and free of residues from products such as styling foam, gel or hair spray.
MRI and CT scans reveal structural details of your body, whereas EEG directly measures the brain's functions. The electrodes used in an EEG test can detect fluctuations in the electrical charges from the firing of neurons in the brain, which is very helpful for developing brain wave patterns.
➢ Take all medications as normal prior to your EEG. ➢ You may eat normally the day of the test, but please avoid eating or drinking anything containing caffeine (coffee, tea, soda, chocolate) for at least eight hours before the test. ➢ Wash your hair the night before your EEG with shampoo only.
A neurological assessment typically involves the evaluation of mental status, cranial nerves, motor and sensory systems, reflexes, and coordination. Why does a neurologist look at your tongue? Looking at the tongue helps evaluate cranial nerve function, providing insights into potential neurological issues.
EMG is specific to peripheral nerve and muscle issues. Meanwhile, EEG excels at uncovering brain-related abnormalities.
These include depression, bipolar disorder, addiction, autism, ADHD, anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and schizophrenia, allowing us to compare both within and across disorders.
Diagnosis of ADHD currently relies primarily on self-report questionnaires and clinical interviews. Electroencephalography (EEG) offers potential utility as a biomarker, and some abnormalities in neural activation have been associated with ADHD.
Some of the signs of brain death include: The pupils don't respond to light. The person shows no reaction to pain. The eyes don't blink when the eye surface is touched (corneal reflex).
Common symptoms of neurological disorders include:
Brain problem symptoms vary widely but often involve sudden headaches, confusion, memory loss, balance issues, vision changes, weakness, or difficulty speaking, affecting cognitive, motor, sensory, and emotional functions, requiring immediate medical attention for sudden, severe changes like the "worst headache ever" or one-sided weakness.
The "3 Cs in epilepsy" refer to seizure first aid steps: Calm, Cushion, and Call, a simple guide to help someone during a tonic-clonic (convulsive) seizure by staying calm, protecting their head from injury, and calling for emergency help if the seizure lasts over five minutes or if it's their first seizure. This campaign helps bystanders provide crucial, simple support during a frightening event, focusing on safety until professional help arrives or the seizure ends naturally.
Medicare Covers EEG Tests When Medically Necessary
Medicare treats EEGs as diagnostic laboratory tests, providing coverage when healthcare providers order them for medically necessary purposes.
An EEG examines electrical activity in the brain. However, electrical changes are often only seen during a seizure. This means that when an EEG comes back normal, it could simply indicate that seizure activity was not occurring when the test was taken – it doesn't mean that a seizure has not occurred at another time.