EEG Specialist

What is an EEG?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) measures your brain’s electrical activity, looking for abnormalities. During the procedure, your neurologist attaches electrodes to your scalp. These electrodes measure your brain cell’s electrical activity, translating the activity into a visual graph.

Your neurologist at Houston Neurological Institute uses the data from the EEG to evaluate your usual brainwave pattern and look for changes in brainwave activity.

Why would I need an EEG?

Houston Neurological Institute primarily performs EEGs to diagnose epilepsy and epilepsy type. You have epilepsy if you have a history of having two or more seizures.

Your neurologist at Houston Neurological Institute uses the data from your EEG to determine the best treatment for your epilepsy. 

Although the use of EEGs is most often to diagnose epilepsy, your provider may request an EEG to assess brain activity if you have a brain disorder such as:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Narcolepsy (a severe sleep disorder)
• Traumatic brain injury
• Brain tumor
• Brain damage following a stroke

Houston Neurological Institute also repeats EEGs for patients with epilepsy to assess the effectiveness of their treatment plan. 

What happens during an EEG?

The specifics of your EEG test at Houston Neurological Institute may depend on the type of test you need. The neurology practice uses many types of EEGs, including:

Routine EEG

The routine EEG is an in-office procedure. During this EEG, the technician at Houston Neurological Institute places the electrodes on your scalp and has you relax in the examination room.

The technician monitors you and the EEG readings in another room. They may also video record you during your EEG. 

Sleep-deprived EEG

For a sleep-deprived EEG, your neurologist requests you undergo testing after getting minimal sleep. Sleep deprivation may result in brain wave activity not seen during a routine EEG.

Prolonged EEG

The prolonged EEG is a longer EEG test. Houston Neurological Institute performs this EEG at the lab or at your home with a home monitoring EEG system. The prolonged EEG helps capture more brain activity events.

Ambulatory EEG

The ambulatory EEG is an at-home EEG. The technician places the electrodes for your EEG at the lab. Then, you go home and go about your usual activities. Houston Neurological Institute may also perform the ambulatory EEG at its state-of-the-art sleep center.

The ambulatory EEG collects data for up to three days.

Sleep EEG

The sleep EEG measures brainwave activity while you sleep. Houston Neurological Institute may perform this test at its sleep center. 

A sleep EEG may be part of a sleep study for diagnosing a sleep disorder. Or, your neurologist may request this type of EEG if your routine EEG fails to provide enough data.

To schedule an EEG at Houston Neurological Institute, call the office or book an appointment online today.