BASELINE AND POST SLEEP DEPRIVATION ELECTRONCEPHALOGRAM (EEG)
At Polispecialistico Lambrate, specialists diagnose and prevent pathologies affecting the nervous system through basal electroencephalogram (EEG) after sleep deprivation.
The Electroncephalogram (EEG) is a non-invasive neurophysiological method, which can be administered to the entire population without contraindications, which allows real-time recording of brain electrical activity.
It is the graphic representation of the current flows generated by nerve cells and can be recorded through the application, in specific areas of the head, of particular sensors called electrodes.
Indications for carrying out the exam
In the clinical setting, the EEG is used for the diagnosis and monitoring of:
- epilepsy
- convulsive and non-convulsive epileptic states
- encephalopathies (metabolic, infectious, degenerative)
- fluctuations of alertness and coma
In addition, the EEG is one of the health checks required for the practice of particular sport activities (e.g. winter sports, diving ..)
The examination is performed in the clinic by the neurophysiopathology technician; the patient sits in condition of relaxation, keeps his eyes closed and follows the operator's instructions. A rubber cap and electrodes are placed on the patient's head, in turn connected to the recording device by means of special cables. The exam lasts about 20 minutes and involves the execution of activation tests such as intermittent light stimulation -SLI- (repetitive flashes of very short duration and high intensity) and, in the absence of contraindications such as severe heart disease and arterial hypertension, the 'hyperapnea (deep hyperventilation for 4-5').
Prolonged sleep deprivation, together with SLI and hyperpnea, is a factor that increases the likelihood of finding abnormalities in the patient's track. The recording is made in the morning in the clinic, in a lying position with the same modalities of the basal EEG, after the patient has been awake all night. The exam lasts about 40 minutes. The EEG with baseline registration and after sleep deprivation is reported by a neurologist specialist in electroencephalography or by a neurophysiolopathologist specialist
The EEG does not require any particular preparation, just a few important precautions need to be taken of - if the exam is carried out in the morning, have an adequate breakfast or in any case not be completely fasting; - do not take caffeine or theine before the exam; - wash your hair, do not add hairspray, gel or other products - in case of EEG after sleep deprivation do not sleep during the night (at least from midnight). In both cases it is preferable not to wear clothes of synthetic material.