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Neurophysiology
A guide for patients and carers
What is clinical neurophysiology?
Clinical neurophysiology has close links with neurology, which deals with diseases of the nervous system and muscles. However, clinical neurophysiology is primarily diagnostic - that is to say it is used mainly to help diagnose diseases rather than treat them.
Most clinical neurophysiology departments are based in larger hospitals that have specialised units staffed with neurologists and neurosurgeons. However, some smaller general hospitals are able to provide a local service. This information explains the four main types of test carried out in clinical neurophysiology departments. They are:
1. EEG (electroencephalogram): a recording of the electrical activity of the brain.
2. Evoked potentials: a recording of the electrical responses of the brain and
spinal cord to stimulation of the senses (sight, hearing and touch).
3. Nerve conduction studies: a recording of the passage of electrical signals along nerves in the limbs.
4. EMG (electromyography): a recording of the electrical activity of muscles.
The aim is to help you understand why the tests are done, what they can tell doctors and what to expect if you or a relative will be having one of these tests.
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Contents
- Introduction
- What is clinical neurophysiology?
- Who works in a neurophysiology department?
- What will happen in the clinical neurophysiology department?
- What is an EEG?
- Why is my doctor sending me for a sleep EEG?
- Can an EEG be carried on yound children and babies?
- What will the EEG show in someone with epilepsy?
- What is an ambulatory EEG?
- When is video-telemetry used?
- Can the EEG help with the decision about possible surgery for epilepsy?
- What are evoked potentials?
- What is evoked potential testing used for?
- What can I expect during the test?
- What is EMG and nerve conduction studies?
- EMG in measuring electrical activity of the muscles
- Summary
- Other organisations that may be able to help
