The occurrence of seizures in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders is much higher than in the typically-developing population. Why are EEGs frequently recommended for individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, intellectual developmental disorder, or global developmental delay?
#WHATS AN EEG HOW TO#
If a seizure, what type of seizure (this is helpful in deciding how to proceed with treatment)?Īre there subclinical seizures (seizures that have no clear outward manifestation)?Īre there areas of abnormal electrical activity that may be impacting cognition, behavior, and/or development?Īn EEG also provides information about an individual’s sleep – in particular, the brain’s progression through the different stages of sleep and whether this is disturbed. A diagnosis of epilepsy (or seizure disorder) is given when an individual has two or more seizures that are not secondary to fever, trauma, infection, or metabolic illness.Īre the episodes seizures or another type of event? Seizures occur suddenly and may appear as abnormal movements, reduced responsiveness, staring spells, or a wide variety of other symptoms. They generally appear as brief interruptions to a person’s ongoing behavior. Seizures are defined as transient episodes of excessive, disorderly discharge of neurons, primarily in the cerebral cortex (which is the outer layer of brain tissue). Still, having electrodes pasted to the scalp can be a little stressful for kids, as can lying still during the test.The most common reason for an EEG is to aid in the diagnosis of seizures. p What to ExpectĪn EEG isn't uncomfortable, and patients do not feel any shocks on the scalp or elsewhere. You might be able to stay in the room with your child, or you can step outside to a waiting area. If your child needs to sleep during it, the test will take longer. The health care provider performing the EEG will know your child's medical history and will be ready for any issues that could come up during the test. If the goal of the EEG is to mimic or cause the problem your child is having (like seizures), he or she may be asked to look at a bright flickering light or breathe a certain way. Your child will be asked to lie still because movement can change the results. The electrical signals from the brain are converted into wavy lines on a computer screen. Each electrode is connected to an amplifier and EEG recording machine. The EEG technician will attach electrodes to different locations on the scalp using adhesive paste. Your child will be asked to lie on a bed or sit in a chair. The ProcedureĪn EEG can be done in the doctor's office, a lab, or a hospital. If it's necessary for your child to sleep during the EEG, the doctor will suggest ways to help make this easier. It's often recommended that kids not have caffeine up to 8 hours before the test. Your doctor may recommend that your child stop taking certain medicines before the test.
#WHATS AN EEG FREE#
Your child's hair should be clean and free of oils, sprays, and conditioner to help the electrodes stick to the scalp. If your child is having an EEG, preparation is minimal.
They're sometimes used to evaluate brain activity after a severe head injury or before a heart transplant or liver transplant.
EEGs also can identify causes of other problems, such as sleep disorders and changes in behavior. Most EEGs are done to diagnose and monitor seizure disorders. Through an EEG, doctors can look for abnormal patterns that indicate seizures and other problems. Normal electrical activity in the brain makes a recognizable pattern. Small metal discs with thin wires (electrodes) are placed on the scalp, and then send signals to a computer to record the results. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test used to find problems related to electrical activity of the brain.Īn EEG tracks and records brain wave patterns.