When is an EEG Recommended?
An EEG may be advised when symptoms suggest abnormal brain activity or neurological dysfunction. It plays an important role in evaluating and monitoring several brain-related conditions.
- Episodes of seizures or suspected epilepsy
- Unexplained loss of consciousness or fainting
- Sudden confusion or memory disturbances
- Sleep-related disorders
- Monitoring brain activity in known neurological conditions
During the EEG procedure, electrodes are placed on the scalp to record brain wave patterns. The test is painless and usually takes a short time to complete. In some cases, specific instructions such as sleep deprivation or stimulation may be used to capture more accurate results. These methods are formally known as “activation procedures.” Occasionally, long-term EEG of 45 minutes or more and video EEG may be required to capture the diagnosis, with a necessity to record the events in a few cases.
EEG findings help in understanding the nature of brain activity and support clinical diagnosis. It is often used along with other investigations to provide a complete neurological evaluation.