Electroencephalography, or EEG, records the electrical activity of the brain. This procedure assists physicians in the diagnosis of a variety of neurological problems, from common headaches and dizziness to seizure disorders, stroke, and degenerative brain disease. EEG is also used to look for organic causes of psychiatric symptoms and disabilities in children and can assist physicians in determining irreversible brain death.

During an EEG, highly sensitive monitoring equipment records brain activity through electrodes that are placed at measured intervals on a patient's scalp. The test is not painful. First, the head is measured, and then the electrodes are placed on the scalp with a paste-like substance. The principal role of the patient is to remain still, relaxed, and comfortable.

EEG can be performed on a short- or long-term basis, depending on the patient's particular situation. A typical short-term test lasts about 90 minutes. During the test, the patient may be asked to hyperventilate and may be shown a strobe light that flashes at different speeds. Both activities can help reveal different brain patterns that are useful for diagnosis. Sometimes, physicians also want to observe brain patterns that occur in sleep. For sleep tests, the patient may be asked to stay awake most of the night prior to the EEG appointment or in some cases may be given a mild sedative.

24-hour ambulatory EEG records brain activity for 24 hours on a small tape recorder that is worn around the waist. Electrodes are applied to the scalp as usual, and the patient's head is typically bandaged to protect the electrode connections. The patient is sent home with a diary to record activities and any symptoms during the 24-hour monitoring period.

Long-term video EEG is an EEG that involves a prolonged recording of the patient's brain activity as well as a video tape recording of the patient's actual behavior during epileptiform (seizure) activity. The patient is usually monitored for several hours, even days, in a specialized epilepsy evaluation and monitoring unit. The patient's anti-epileptic medications are reduced or withdrawn to induce epileptiform seizures. Typically, several seizures may occur each day. In some patients, no seizures may occur for several days, whereas other patients may have more than a dozen seizures per day. The physician reviews the EEG and videotapes recorded before, during, and after each captured seizure to determine the nature of the seizure activity and decide on an appropriate course of treatment.

Southern Utah Neurological and Neurodiagnostics requests the following of patients to ensure that a quality EEG recording can be obtained:

• Ensure that your hair is clean and dry, and do not use any hair gels, dressings, or hairspray before the test. Dirty hair or scalp can interfere with electrode sensitivity.
• Do not consume sugar, caffeine, alcoholic beverages, or chocolate 12 hours before the test. These substances are stimulants that can affect the accuracy of the EEG recording.
• Take your regular medications, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor, and bring a current list of any seizure or other medications you use.
• Wear comfortable clothing.

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