Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Photo of electroencephalogram (EEG) procedure

An EEG may be done to study seizures, study sleep disorders, or help find the location of a tumor, an infection, or bleeding. An EEG technologist attaches a cap with fixed electrodes on your head. (An EEG can also be done without a cap by using several individual electrodes.) The electrodes are hooked by wires to a machine that records the electrical activity inside the brain. The machine shows the electrical activity as a series of wavy lines on a computer screen.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerAnne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerColin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Last RevisedNovember 30, 2011
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: November 30, 2011
Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology

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