What diseases can be detected by an electroencephalogram (EEG)?
May 23, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Jun
Introduction
An electroencephalogram (EEG) can generally detect epilepsy, mental disorders, and other brain diseases. The EEG primarily records the spontaneous electrical activity of a patient's brain cell populations through electrodes, thereby helping to determine the type of disease the patient may have. When a patient has an epileptic seizure, the EEG shows distinctly abnormal signals, such as scattered sharp waves and others.
Electroencephalography (EEG) can generally detect epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, and intracranial diseases, among others. Specific details are as follows:
1. Epilepsy
EEG primarily records the spontaneous electrical activity of a patient's brain cell populations through electrodes to help determine the type of disease present. During an epileptic seizure, the EEG typically shows明显 abnormal signals, such as scattered sharp waves, making this test highly significant in the clinical diagnosis of epilepsy.
2. Psychiatric Disorders
For patients with psychiatric conditions such as depression or schizophrenia, EEG can be used to rule out conditions like epilepsy or brain injury.
3. Intracranial and Brain Diseases
In cases of intracranial infections, cerebral infarction, or pulmonary encephalopathy, doctors may use EEG to assess the progression and specifics of the condition.
In addition to the above, EEG can also help identify brain trauma, brain tumors, and other conditions. Patients are advised to wash their hair thoroughly before the test and avoid using hair gels, waxes, or similar products. It is also recommended to moderately reduce sleep prior to the test, as sleep deprivation may provoke epileptic activity and increase the likelihood of a positive result.
