EEG (electroencephalogram)

Please read: Important 2013 cancer research update from Dr. Michael Camilleri

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

How you prepare

By Mayo Clinic staff

To prepare for an EEG:

  • Wash your hair the night before or the day of the test, but don't use any conditioners, hair creams, sprays or styling gels.
  • Avoid anything with caffeine six hours before the test.
  • Take your usual medications unless instructed otherwise.

If you're supposed to sleep during your EEG test, your doctor may ask you to sleep less or even avoid sleep entirely the night before your EEG. If you have trouble falling asleep for the test, you might be given a sedative to help you relax.

What you can expect Risks
References
  1. Aminoff MJ. Electrophysiology. In: Goetz CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:477.
  2. Hirsch LJ, et al. Electroencephalography (EEG) in the diagnosis of seizures and epilepsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 23, 2011.
  3. Aminoff MJ. Electrodiagnostic studies of nervous system disorders: EEG, evoked potentials and EMG. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2885536. Accessed March 23, 2011.
  4. Importance of EEG tests. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/quickstart/newlydiagnosed/qstreatment/qstreeg.cfm. Accessed March 23, 2011.
  5. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed March 23, 2011.
  6. Devinsky O. Epilepsy: Patient and Family Guide. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: Demos Medical Publishing LLC; 2008:76.
  7. Sedation analgesia. American Society of Anesthesiologists. http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/Types-Of-Anesthesia/Sedation-Analgesia.aspx. Accessed March 23, 2011.
MY00296 May 19, 2011

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger