EEG

Alternative names:

brain wave test; electroencephalogram

How the test is performed:

The test is performed by an EEG technician in a specially-designed room that may be in the health care provider's office or in the hospital. You will be asked to lie on your back on the table or in a reclining chair. The technician will apply between 16 and 25 flat metal discs (electrodes) in different positions on your scalp. The discs are held in place with a sticky paste. The electrodes are connected by wires to an amplifier and the recording machine. The recording machine converts the electrical signals into a series of wavy lines which are drawn onto a moving piece of graph paper. You will need to lie still with your eyes closed because movement can alter the results. You may be asked to do certain things during the recording, such as breathe deeply and rapidly for several minutes or look at a very bright flickering light.

How to prepare for the test:

You will need to wash your hair the night before the test. No oils, sprays, or lotion should be used on your hair. The health care provider may want you to discontinue some medications before the test. You should avoid all foods containing caffeine for 8 hours before the test. Sometimes it is necessary to sleep during the test, so you may be asked to reduce your sleep time the night before.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:

• infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
• toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
• preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
• schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
• adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel:

Nothing will be felt during the procedure.

Why the test is performed:

The EEG is used to help diagnose the presence and type of seizure disorders, confusion, head injuries, brain tumors, infections, degenerative diseases, and metabolic disturbances that affect the brain. It is also used to evaluate sleep disorders and to investigate periods of unconsciousness. The EEG may be done to confirm brain death in a comatose patient. The procedure cannot be used to "read the mind," measure intelligence, or diagnose mental illness.