This may be done in cases where there are concerns about seizures, epilepsy, or other major changes in cognition. This type of EEG is used when doctors want to get a long-term recording of brain activity, from a few hours to even days. The doctor may ask specific questions or try to alter the patient’s brain state with light or breathing to further assess brain health. This type of EEG is the most typical use of an EEG in a clinical or hospital setting to get a relatively quick look at brain waves in 20 minutes. This type of EEG is worn on the head like a headset and can be used to record brain activity over long periods while the patient goes about their normal day. Types of EEGįour primary types of EEG can be utilized. EEG is the only tool that provides continuous feedback on the brain’s activity level. As such, EEG can be used to show problems with the way the brain is working, and it can help diagnose conditions like epilepsy and dementia. The brain waves can provide real time information about the level of activity and consciousness. Obtaining an EEG typically involves a series of electrodes to pick up said brain waves at certain points on a patient’s head. The brain’s electrical activity is sometimes compared to a large orchestra where there is continuous musical communication between the different musicians and all musicians contribute to an ocean of different waveforms. What is an EEG?ĮEGs are used to measure small electrical currents, so called 'brain waves,' that are part of the brain’s natural physiology in real-time. Additionally, we will explain why EEGs are such an important tool for researchers and clinicians when it comes to brain health. What is electroencephalography, or EEG? In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between EEGs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Eeg of normal brain vs epilepsy