The EEG has been used for many years and is considered a safe procedure.
The test causes no discomfort
. The electrodes record activity. They do not produce any sensation.
Does EEG have any side effects?
EEG is a safe test with no side effects
. However, a person with epilepsy may experience a seizure, triggered by the various stimuli used in the procedure, including the flashing lights. (This is not seen as a ‘complication’ by medical staff, because a seizure during an EEG can greatly help in diagnosis.)
What is EEG good for and why is it bad?
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 an EEG show brain damage?
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.
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.
Is EEG better than MRI?
In general,
MRI is good at telling us where the lesion is
, whereas EEG is good at separating normal and abnormal primarily cortical function. The topologic usefulness of EEG is limited, although it may be improved with computerization.
How much does an EEG cost?
The cost of an EEG Procedure varies. It depends whether you have or don’t have insurance, and sometimes what city you live in. Costs for an EEG Test can range from
$200 to $3, 000 or more
.
Can an EEG detect anxiety?
EEG has also been used in the diagnosis of
mental disorders
, such as anxiety [28–30], psychosis [31–34], and depression [35–38].
Can an 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 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.
What is a normal EEG result?
Most waves of 8 Hz and higher frequencies
are normal findings in the EEG of an awake adult. Waves with a frequency of 7 Hz or less often are classified as abnormal in awake adults, although they normally can be seen in children or in adults who are asleep.
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.
What are the possible causes for an abnormal EEG?
- 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)
Why do an MRI after an EEG?
If the EEG shows that the
seizures
arise from the temporal lobe on one side of the brain and the MRI shows these characteristic changes on the same side, the possibility of an excellent outcome from surgery may be greater than 90%.
What is the best type of brain scan?
MRI scans
are very good for looking at the brain and spinal cord and are considered the best way to look for tumors in these areas. The images they provide are usually more detailed than those from CT scans (described below).
How long does an EEG last?
A routine EEG recording lasts for
about 20 to 40 minutes
. During the test, you’ll be asked to rest quietly and open or close your eyes from time to time. In most cases, you’ll also be asked to breathe in and out deeply (called hyperventilation) for a few minutes.
