Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test used to look at the electrical activity in the brain.

An EEG may be done to:

• Help diagnose seizures
• Assess if brain function has been affected by certain conditions and diseases, such as:
  
  • Trauma
  • Coma
  • Brain infection— encephalitis
  • Electrolyte imbalance

At UVA, our labs are ABRET-accredited, a recognition given to programs that meet certain technical standards and demonstrate quality output.

What to Expect of an EEG

The painless test takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. In some cases, your doctor will need you to do an EEG overnight or over a number of days. The test may be done at home or in the hospital.

EEG Results

Your doctor will get a report within 1-2 weeks and will talk to you about the results.