EEG tests for epilepsy

What information does an EEG test give?

An EEG test gives information about the electrical activity that is happening in your brain at the time the test is carried out.

Many people with epilepsy only have unusual electrical activity in their brain when they are having a seizure. The rest of the time the brain activity may be normal. So, if your EEG test doesn’t show any unusual activity, it only means that there is no epileptic activity in your brain at the time the test is being done. This doesn’t prove that you don’t have unusual activity in your brain at other times, and you could still have epilepsy.

People with some types of epilepsy have unusual electrical activity in their brain even when they are not having a seizure. When they have an EEG test, the results can show certain brainwave patterns that doctors recognise. This information is very helpful for doctors when they are making a diagnosis.

A small number of people have unusual EEG test results, even though they never have seizures and they don’t have epilepsy. These could be caused by other medical conditions, problems with their vision, or brain damage. So, an EEG that shows unusual brainwave patterns doesn’t always mean that you have epilepsy.

Can an EEG test show what type of seizures I have?

When an EEG test picks up unusual electrical activity, the doctor will look at where it is happening in the brain. With focal seizures, the activity is only happening in some areas of your brain. With generalised seizures, the activity is more widespread. Unless you have a seizure during the recording, the doctor cannot be absolutely sure what type of seizures you have.

Can an EEG test show if there is any damage in my brain?

An EEG test only gives information about the electrical activity in your brain. It can show if there is unusual electrical activity but it does not show if there are any physical abnormalities of the brain. An MRI or CT scan can do this.

Will I have more than one EEG test?

There are several ways to do an EEG test. And there are several reasons why you might be asked to have more EEGs.

  • If you have an EEG test that doesn’t show any unusual electrical activity in your brain, your doctor might ask you to have another.
  • It can be helpful, if possible, to have an EEG test at times when you are more likely to have a seizure. For example, this might be early in the morning. Some people have a type of epilepsy that means seizures are more likely at certain times, for example during their menstrual cycle.

This post was last modified on November 27, 2024 2:11 pm