EEG (electroencephalogram)

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Results

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration showing brain activity recorded by an EEG 
EEG brain activity

Technicians conduct the test. Doctors trained to analyze EEGs interpret the recording, and the results are sent to the doctor who ordered the EEG.

Your doctor may schedule an office appointment to discuss the results of the test. If possible, bring along a family member or friend. It can be difficult to absorb all the information provided to you during an appointment. The person who accompanies you may remember something that you forgot or missed.

Write down questions that you want to ask your doctor. Don't be afraid to ask questions or to speak up when you don't understand something your doctor says. Questions you may want to ask include:

  • Based on the results, what are my next steps?
  • What kind of follow-up, if any, should I expect?
  • Are there any factors that might have affected the results of this test, and therefore may have altered the results?
  • Will I need to repeat the test at some point?
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

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