Ambulatory EEG Specialist

What is an ambulatory EEG?

Similar to a traditional EEG, an ambulatory EEG is a safe and painless diagnostic test that records the electrical activity in your brain. Unlike a regular EEG, an ambulatory EEG has the ability to record brain wave data for up to 72 hours. An ambulatory video EEG uses a camera to recorded episodes, changes in behavior and seizures.

An ambulatory EEG records brain activity in the comfort of your own home while you sleep and go about your daily routine. During an ambulatory EEG test, you’re free to walk around, eat meals, and watch TV as usual.

Why would I need an ambulatory EEG?

The team at The Center for Neurology and Neurophysiology uses an ambulatory EEG to help diagnose abnormal brain activity that may not be present during the 20- to 40-minute recording window of a traditional EEG.

Common reasons they recommend an ambulatory EEG include to:

• Confirm an epilepsy diagnosis
• Detect seizures you may not be aware of
• Evaluate the effectiveness of your seizure treatment
• Diagnose a sudden loss of consciousness

Certain types of epilepsy only create abnormal brain activity during sleep, so the ability to record data overnight helps diagnose your specific type of seizures.

What should I expect from an ambulatory EEG?

Before your appointment, you should avoid medications that may alter your brain activity and refrain from using styling products in your hair. During your appointment, you will be provided with instructions on how to take care of the electrodes.

Like a traditional EEG, the ambulatory EEG records brain activity through electrodes placed on your scalp. A certified EEG technician attaches the electrodes to your scalp with a special paste to keep them in place over a longer period of time.

The electrodes connect to wires that attach to a small, portable recording device. This device records your brain’s electrical activity. After the electrodes and wires are attached, you can go home.

You should write down in the provided log any events which occur during the test. This helps the technician and the physician when reviewing the data.

When the test is finished, you will return to The Center for Neurology and Neurophysiology to have the electrodes removed.

To learn more about the ambulatory EEG, call The Center for Neurology and Neurophysiology or schedule an appointment online.