Question

What is EEG test?

Answer 1

EEG (Electroencephalography) is a recording of electrical activities of the Brain along with the scalp.

1. EEG measures the voltage between Brain and Neurons
2. The EEG measures or records the Brains spontaneously electrical activity for short period of time. Nearly 20-40 min.
3. The electrodes are placed on the scalp in the Bulk (multiple electrodes on the scalp).
4. The neural oscillations are observed on the EEG.
5. The use of EEG in neurology is at most important especially in cases of Epilepsy. There will be abnormalities seen in the EEG due to epileptic activities.
6. It is also useful in cases of coma, encephalopathies and brain death.
7. The EEG is also helpful in the sleep disorders and in studies of sleep.
8. The EEG is used widely in the diagnosis of tumors, stroke and other Brain disorders.
9. But MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT (Computed Tomography) are more useful than EEG as the spatial resolution of MRI and CT is far more than EEG.

Clinical Use:

The EEG typically takes 20-40min of time. The scalp electrodes are recorded. Following are its clinical use:

1. To decide for the use of antiepileptic medications.
2. Used in cases of Brain Death.
3. In making perfect diagnosis between delirium and encephalopathy due to catatonia.
4. For making prognosis in cases of coma.
5. For making Diagnosis of epileptic seizure, psychogenic non-epileptic seizure, syncope, migraine, subcortical movement disorders.