What Are The Possible Causes For An Abnormal EEG?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Abnormal bleeding (hemorrhage)
  • An abnormal structure in the brain (such as a brain tumor)
  • Tissue death due to a blockage in blood flow (cerebral infarction)
  • Drug or alcohol abuse.
  • Head injury.
  • Migraines (in some cases)
  • Seizure disorder (such as epilepsy)

What happens if EEG is abnormal?

Abnormal EEG results can show up in two ways. First,

normal brain activity may be suddenly interrupted and changed

. This happens in epileptic seizures. In partial seizures, only part of the brain shows the sudden interruption.

What problems can an EEG detect?

An (EEG) is a noninvasive test that records electrical patterns in your brain. The test is used to help diagnose conditions such as

seizures, epilepsy, head injuries, dizziness, headaches, brain tumors and sleeping problems

. It can also be used to confirm brain death.

Can anxiety cause abnormal EEG?

Background. Since the 1980s, a high EEG abnormality rate has been reported for patients with

panic disorder

.

Can an abnormal EEG mean nothing?


An abnormal EEG doesn't automatically mean that you

, for example, have epilepsy. The EEGs of babies and young children can often record irregular patterns that don't mean anything, or the irregularities may flag previously diagnosed neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy.

What does a normal EEG rule out?

An EEG is used to detect problems in the electrical activity of the brain that may be associated with certain brain disorders. The measurements given by an EEG are used to confirm or rule out various conditions, including:

seizure disorders (such as epilepsy) head injury

.

Can a EEG show past seizures?


An EEG can usually show if you are having a seizure at the time of the test

, but it can't show what happens to your brain at any other time. So even though your test results might not show any unusual activity it does not rule out having epilepsy.

Why would a neurologist order an EEG?

Why it's done

An EEG can

determine changes in brain activity

that might be useful in diagnosing brain disorders, especially epilepsy or another seizure disorder. An EEG might also be helpful for diagnosing or treating the following disorders: Brain tumor. Brain damage from head injury.

Can a EEG detect brain damage?

The EEG may also be

used to determine the overall electrical activity of the brain

(for example, to evaluate trauma, drug intoxication, or extent of brain damage in comatose patients).

What are the 3 types of seizures?

  • absence seizures (formerly known as petit mal)
  • tonic-clonic or convulsive seizures (formerly known as grand mal)
  • atonic seizures (also known as drop attacks)
  • clonic seizures.
  • tonic seizures.
  • myoclonic seizures.

Can EEG read thoughts?

“This measurement technique, known as electroencephalography or EEG, can provide information about brain activity that

could, in principle, be used to read minds

,” said Jeffrey Mark Siskind, professor of electrical and computer engineering in Purdue's College of Engineering.

Can EEG detect dementia?


EEG can diagnose the two most common types of dementia

(i.e., AD and VaD) because both of these types are cortical, and EEG reflects hidden brain abnormalities [72, 73].

Can an EEG miss a brain tumor?

The low specificity and sensitivity of EEG (even in patients with clinical seizures as primary symptom of a brain tumor) underline that

EEG does not contribute to diagnosis

and a normal EEG might even delay correct diagnosis.

What mental illness can an EEG detect?

Electroencephalography, or EEG, technology that measures brain function could encourage earlier diagnoses of common mental and neurological disorders, including

autism, ADHD and dementia

, according to findings published in The Neurodiagnostic Journal.

What causes abnormal activity in the brain?

Abnormal electrical activity in the brain triggers

seizure activity

. A person may have a seizure disorder (epilepsy) and require medications. Other factors such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which is a diabetic reaction, may cause seizures. Meningitis or a head injury may also cause a seizure.

What drugs affect EEG?

  • General comments: …
  • Marijuana/ Hashish/ THC: …
  • Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25): …
  • PCP, Phencyclidine, or angel dust: …
  • Barbiturates: …
  • Morphine/Opiates/Heroin: …
  • Alcohol: …
  • Neuroleptics:
James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.