Using this as the preferred protocol may help reduce the numbers of EEGs carried out in young patients presenting with epilepsy. SD-EEG is an easy and inexpensive way of increasing the yield of EEG abnormalities. These differences did not reach significance.ĮEG has an important role in the classification of epilepsies. EEGs are typically used to identify seizures, but researchers can also use this same technology to investigate brain functions and how they relate to human cognition and behavior. In only 1 patient with focal discharges (7%) was the focal change noted solely after drug-induced sleep. Electroencephalogram (EEG) Electroencephalography (EEG) is a method of tracking neural activity in the brain via placement of electrodes on the scalp. In 2 (13%), the only abnormalities were seen on r-EEG. 7 patients (47%) had changes seen only after sleep deprivation. r-EEG and DI-EEG each produced abnormalities in 40% and 27%, respectively. Among the 15 patients showing focal discharges, SD-EEG provoked abnormalities in 11 (73%). The difference between the yield from SD-EEG was significantly higher than that from other protocols (p < 0.001). SD-EEG had a sensitivity of 92% among these patients, whereas the sensitivity of DI-EEG and r-EEG was 58% and 44%, respectively. 36 patients (43%) showed generalised spike and wave during at least one EEG recording, whereas 15 (18%) had a focal discharge evident at some stage. Of the 85 patients who completed the study, 33 (39%) showed no discernible abnormality on any of their EEG recordings. The yield of EEG abnormalities was compared using each EEG protocol.ĩ8 patients were recruited to the study. This study assesses the effects of different EEG protocols on the yield of EEG abnormalities in young people with possible new epilepsy.Ĩ5 patients presenting to the unit underwent three EEGs with differing protocols: routine EEG (r-EEG), sleep-deprived EEG (SD-EEG), EEG carried out during drug-induced sleep (DI-EEG). Electroencephalography (EEG) is an essential investigative tool for use in young people with epilepsy.

Eeg for seizures