Electroencephalography (EEG)

What Benefits Are Gained by These Tests?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) may be done to:

• Diagnose epilepsy and determine what types of seizures are occurring. EEG is the most useful and important test in confirming a diagnosis of epilepsy.
• Identify the location of a suspected brain tumor, inflammation, infection (such as encephalitis or meningitis), bleeding, head injury, or disease in the brain, such as Parkinson's disease.
• Evaluate periods of unconsciousness or dementia.
• Help predict a person's chance of recovery after a change in consciousness.
• Confirm or rule out brain death in a person who is in a coma.
• Studies sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy.
• Monitor brain activity while a person is receiving general anesthesia during surgery