The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test. It is used to look at the electrical activity in the brain.
Placement of Sensors for an EEG
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An EEG may be done to:
Depending on the reason for your EEG, you may be given some of the following instructions:
You will sit in a chair or lie on a cot. Electrodes will be placed on your scalp with special gel or paste. The electrodes will record the brain's electrical activity. You will be asked to close your eyes and be still for most of the test. Depending on the reason for the test, there may be other steps such as:
In some cases, the doctor will make a video recording of the test.
The technician will remove the electrodes, and you will be able to go home.
Talk to your doctor about restarting any medicines you may have stopped.
The test may take about one hour. In some cases, an EEG is done overnight or over a number of days. The test may be done at home or in the hospital.
No, an EEG is painless.
A specialist will review your test results. Your doctor will get a report within 1-2 weeks of your test and talk to you about the results.
RESOURCES:
Epilepsy Foundation
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org
National Institutes of Health
http://www.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Epilepsy Canada
http://www.epilepsy.ca
Epilepsy Ontario
http://www.epilepsyontario.org
References:
EEG (Electroencephalogram). KidsHealth website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/eeg.html#. Updated September 2008. Accessed August 31, 2012.
Seizure in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us. Updated August 2, 2012. Accessed August 31, 2012.
Seizure in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us. Updated August 2, 2012. Accessed August 31, 2012.
Shevell M, Ashwal S, Donley D, et al. Practice parameter: Evaluation of the child with global developmental delay: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and The Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology. 2003;60:367-380.
Last reviewed September 2012 by Rimas Lukas, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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