Electroencephalogram (EEG)

EEG (Electroencephalography)

Why It Is Done

An electroencephalogram (EEG) may be done to:

• Diagnose epilepsy and see what type of seizures are occurring. EEG is the most useful and important test in confirming a diagnosis of epilepsy.
• Check for problems with loss of consciousness or dementia.
• Help find out a person's chance of recovery after a change in consciousness.
• Find out if a person who is in a coma is brain-dead.
• Study sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy.
• Watch brain activity while a person is receiving general anesthesia during brain surgery.
• Help find out if a person has a physical problem (problems in the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system) or a mental health problem.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: November 6, 2006
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Barrie J. Hurwitz, MD - Neurology
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