Electroencephalography (from the Greek ‘enkephalo’ - brain and ‘graphein’ - write) is a method of testing the brain activity. EEG measures and records the bioelectrical activity of the brain. The EEG of a healthy adult at rest is characterized by two main rhythms: α-rhythm with frequency of 8-13 Hz and of 25-55 μV, β-rhythm with frequency of 14-30 Hz and the amplitude of 15-20 μV. Various pathologies change the encephalogram pattern.

A standard EEG takes about one hour. The patient is usually placed on a couch or in a comfortable chair. To measure electrical activity in various parts of the brain, a healthcare professional fixes up to 20 electrodes on the patient's scalp or puts on a special cap with attached sensors. The computer records the electrical activity of the brain on a screen and on paper as a series of wavy lines. EEG video monitoring helps the doctor to see what is happening just before, during and after an epileptic seizure, and to identify which specific region of the brain is responsible for the disorder. This test is needed to diagnose psychogenic seizures, which may look like real epileptic seizures, but do not affect the electrical activity of the brain. Video monitoring can be short- and long-term. The short-term monitoring is conducted in the outpatient setting and lasts up to six hours. The patient moves freely with sensors attached to the head, which allows recording the activity of the brain for a long time. Long-term monitoring is carried out in a hospital; the procedure takes 3-7 days.

Electroencephalography during a child's sleep (often called a child's sleep EEG) is the most indicative diagnostic method for examining the brain functional activity. It allows differentiating epileptic and non-epileptic causes of the disease. EEG for children under one year is performed only asleep. For a child fall to fall asleep it is desirable to consider his usual sleep schedule when prescribing the procedure.

The procedure is conducted according to the standard protocol for special tests. Usually EEG uses stroboscopic simulation (the effect of flashes of bright light on the eyes) and hyperventilation (deep breathing). The cost depends on the type of electroencephalogram. The price for night EEG monitoring is higher than for a standard procedure. During a specialized EEG, the patient is placed in a room that stimulates relaxation, electrodes are connected and the patient is asked to fall asleep. The cost of a brain encephalogram of a child older than two years is the same as for an adult. EEG for newborns and children under two years of age is cheaper. You can find EEG prices on our website Dobrobut.com. The site also lists all possible payment methods.

Deciphering the examination results: rhythmic bioelectrical activity with bursts of paroxysmal activity indicates the region, where the excitation processes exceed the inhibition processes. Such EEG may indicate that the patient has a migraine. Diffuse changes in the brain bioelectrical activity in the absence of other disorders can be considered as a variant of the norm. That is, if the medical assessment report indicates only diffuse or moderate changes in the brain bioelectrical activity without detected paroxysms or foci of pathological activity, the diagnosis of epilepsy is not confirmed. Where can you get the brain encephalogram? In a hospital, private clinic or any other health facility with electroencephalograph and where the brain tests are performed.

Article writer - Irina Pepenina

Publication date: 29.04.2021