10 Conditions Diagnosed with an EEG: Discover What This Test Can Detect

The human brain is a powerful thing that allows us to think, feel and move. But if some­thing goes wrong inside the brain, that’s not alway­s visible with regu­lar scans like CT or MRI. Which is where a test that performs an EEG can come in.

An EEG, or electroencephalogram, is a brief and painless test in which the electrical activity of the brain is recorded. It can aid doctors in determining how the brain is working, and it can identify many neurological issues. If you’ve been curious about EEG test for what, then this will get you up to speed — I’ll go over 10 problems an EEG can help diagnose and what it indicates if your EEG result is abnormal.

What is an EEG?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) uses small sensors (electrodes) attached to the scalp to record the brain’s electrical signals. They read the patterns of his brainwaves and transmit them to a computer for analysis.

Doctors prescribe an EEG when they are concerned about the function of the brain, as opposed to its structure. It’s a safe, noninvasive and effective method of studying brain functioning in real time.

So, EEG test for what? The test can be used to help identify a variety of neurological and sleep-related conditions — from epilepsy to brain infections.

Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

It is the most frequent indication for performing an EEG. During a seizure, the electrical signals in the brain become abnormal and disorganized. An EEG is able to record these abnormal spikes and wave patterns, even if the person isn’t having a seizure at the time of the test.

Indeed, one of the principal responses to what issues can an EEG identify is epileptic activity. Certain patterns on an EEG can assist doctors in identifying what kind of epilepsy a person has and help direct their treatment.

Sleep Disorders

Your doctor may recommend an EEG as part of a sleep study if you suffer from insomnia, sleepwalking or excessive daytime sleepiness. The test can reveal what goes on in your brain while you are sleeping — how much time you spend in each stage of sleep (REM and non-REM).

What an EEG can diagnose?

Narcolepsy

Sleep apnea

REM behavior disorder

In these examples, an abnormal EEG may reflect altered sleep patterns or brain wave changes associated with poor quality sleep.

Brain Tumors

While an EEG is not able to directly detect a brain tumor (unlike an MRI), it can identify abnormal EEG findings, suggesting particular areas of the brain that are being affected by the tumor. Tumors can also interfere with normal signal processing in the brain and cause slow or irregular patterns of brain waves.

If a tumor is suspected because of the EEG findings, some doctors will recommend imaging tests to confirm it. So while EEG doesn’t directly show the tumor itself, it frequently plays a role in identifying what issues an EEG can pick up whereby there are abnormal brain functions associated with tumors.

Head Injuries

Brain function can be distorted temporarily or permanently (e.g after a head injury). The use of EEG helps determine the effects of trauma on brain activity. With a concussion or more serious brain injury, EEG findings can include slowing or abnormal waves in certain areas of your brain.

Physicians use EEG readings to gauge a patient’s progress and to see if their brain is healing properly or there may be lingering dysfunction after trauma.

Encephalitis (Brain Inflammation)

Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain as a result of infection -- most often viral. The condition can lead to seizures, confusion and memory issues.

An EEG can demonstrate abnormal EEG findings of diffuse slow-wave activity, which would help if brain function is not working normally. Used along with symptoms and other tests, an EEG helps confirm encephalitis and steer treatment.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

EEG tests are occasionally performed to investigate the cognitive decline of those with dementia. In Alzheimer’s, say, individuals may show slower brainwaves or less electrical activity in specific regions of the brain on an EEG.

And while EEG can’t diagnose dementia on its own, it offers important hints about overall brain function. It is also a way of ruling other causes of confusion, like seizures or metabolic problems.

Brain Death (Coma Evaluation)

When someone is in a coma, doctors monitor their level of consciousness by measuring brain activity using EEGs. In serious cases, if brain activity ceases altogether, the EEG will display a flat line — a sign of brain death.

This EEG utilisation is crucial in intensive care, where it may lead to informed and ethical decisions regarding further treatment or organ donation.

Stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, causing damage to brain cells. An EEG can thus record slow or abnormal activity in various parts of the brain, depending on what portion of the brain is affected.

Abnormal EEG readings post-stroke can aid doctors in assessing the degree of damage and forecasting recovery. It’s also helpful in diagnosing post-stroke seizures, which occur frequently in some populations of patients.

Brain Infections and Metabolic Disorders

Some infections, like meningitis or metabolic conditions, such as liver or kidney failure can affect brain function. Studies of the brain in autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions don’t necessarily present visibly on imaging scans, but the kind of functional changes that an EEG can pick up do appear early.

In such cases, the EEG might show generalized slowing of brain activity, and this can direct doctors toward a systemic cause or an infection that has spread throughout the body.

Other Disorders of Growth and Development of Childhood

In pediatric neurology, EEG is frequently used to assess children with developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or learning disability.

In few children, abnormal EEG readings will include: Evidence for Seizures or patterns of unusual Brainwave functions which can lead to behavior and learning difficulties. Spotting the disease early allows doctors to plan more effective treatments and therapies.

Understanding Abnormal EEG Results

If your doctor tells you that your EEG results are abnormal, this doesn’t always mean that you have a serious or life-threatening condition. Occasionally, tumultuous factors such as lack of sleep, medications or stress can throw off brain signals.

Here’s what doctors look for:

Brainwave slowdown — could indicate brain injury or infection.

The seizure activity is characterized by spike and wave patterns – a type common of epilepsy.

Focal abnormalities — present in diseases that affect a part of the brain, such as a tumor or stroke.

The issue is that the results of an EEG are considered along with symptoms, medical history and other tests in order to make a diagnosis.

What Does an EEG Show?

In summary, if you ask yourself what can an EEG diagnose, here we provide a concise list:

Epilepsy and seizures

Sleep disorders

Brain tumors

Head injuries

Encephalitis

Dementia

Brain death

Stroke

Brain infections

Developmental disorders

That is why the response to what does eeg test for encompasses such a wide range and it has practical applications in helping doctors sort out how your brain works, both when they are healthy and unhealthy.

The role of EEG in contemporary medicine

EEG technology is decades old, but it’s still one of the most valuable instruments in neurology. It’s safe, cost-effective and can return abnormal findings that other tests miss.

Whether it’s detecting epilepsy, tracking sleep disorders or assessing brain injuries, EEG technology provides physicians a way to peer inside the electrical system of your brain — and make sound decisions about treatment as fast as possible.

Final Thoughts

More than just a test, an EEG is a powerful diagnostic tool that allows us to look beyond the surface and see what’s going on deep inside the brain. Knowing what an EEG test is for and what does an EEG show can help ease your fears if your doctor suggests one.

Rest assured, if you ever get EEG results that look strange, don’t worry. The readings can be affected by many factors, and your doctor will discuss what they mean in the context of your particular situation. The point is, EEG allows doctors to get closer to the roots of neurological problems — and that whole picture improves your quality of care.