What's an EEG?
- An EEG or electroencephalogram is a diagnostic test that gives a
physician information about the brain's activity. Basically, it's an
electrical picture of the brain. Small devices called electrodes are
placed in precise locations on the scalp and attached by wires to an
electroencephalograph or an EEG machine. Electrical activity
(brainwaves) is collected and recorded as a pattern of wavy lines. A
neurologist then interprets these lines to determine if there are
abnormal patterns caused by brain disease or dysfunction.
- A precision tool
- Most EEGs are recorded on long strips of paper. At UVa, our EEGs
are digital recordings displayed on large computer monitors. This
computerization allows for even more precise readings and
analysis.
Because UVa's EEGs are captured digitally and analyzed on a
computer, they can be stored, displayed and interpreted more
conveniently and accurately.
Most importantly, UVa's EEGs are done by trained, single-purpose
technologists and interpreted by physicians who have formal and
licensed training in neurophysiology. The sheer number of adult and
pediatric electrophysiology studies done by our technologists and
physicians gives them the experience with difficult-to-interpret
studies of common and unusual maladies.
- What an EP?
- EP (evoked potential) testing uses an EEG to measure the electrical
activity of nerves or to determine areas of the brain, brain stem, or
spinal cord serving an individual nerve. An EP measures the time it
takes for a nerve impulse generated by a specific stimulus to reach the
brain as determined by an EEG. Evoked potentials may also serve as a
guide during the surgical removal of tumors growing around important
nerves. There are three common types of EP:
- Visual evoked potential: In this test, the
stimulus is a computer-generated visual test pattern that measures the
speed and quality of nerve pathways from the eye to the visual regions
of the brain.
- Sensory evoked potential: The stimulus is
generated by an electrode that is placed on one of the patient's limbs.
The test measures the intactness of sensory pathways from the limb,
through the spinal cord, and into sensory regions of the brain.
- Brain stem auditory evoked potentials: The
stimulus is an audible click that tests the integrity of sound
sensation from the ears to the brainstem.
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