The EEG Testing Center has worked to meet the emotional, medical, and physical needs for persons with neurological disorders for over 25 years. The staff provide outpatient diagnostic testing from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm; Monday through Friday.
 
To schedule an appointment please call our Outpatient Services at 301-877-4766.

An EEG records brain waves, but it does not read minds or measure IQs. Instead, EEGs are used to detect the level of electrical activity in the brain. Your brain cells communicate by electrical impulses. An EEG measures primarily brain function.

How is an EEG Done?

The procedure is not painful in any way. A technician arranges the electrodes (usually a dozen) at specific sites on the head, fixing electrodes in place with sticky paste. The patient must remain still and lie down while the EEG is done. There are two types of EEGs. The Standard EEG takes approximately 35 minutes while the Sleep Deprived EEG test takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Both test consist of hyperventilation (breathing fast) and photic stimulation (lights flashing). This is necessary to record an accurate EEG.

The patient can not be sedated to achieve stillness because the sedative can cause an inaccurate reading.

Why is an EEG Done?

The EEG is the key test in diagnosing, pinpointing, and managing certain areas of unstable electrical impulses in the brain that cause epilepsy. In other words, the EEG tries to find the seizure foci. EEGs can identify other very rare seizure syndromes and are also used to judge the effectiveness of ant-convulsion therapy that is used in the treatment of seizure disorders.

How Long Will It Take To Get Results?

Our Specially trained neurologist interprets your EEG within one day. A report is sent to your referring Doctor for review.