Neurology Resources
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Services
- Cognitive Disorders and Geriatric Neurology
- Dementia, Delirium, Alzheimer’s
- Epilepsy
- Headache and Migraines
- Movement Disorders
- Parkinson’s Disease, Restless Legs Syndrome, Huntington’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy and ALS
- Lou Gehrig’s Disease
- Neuro-Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Neurology
- Stroke/Vascular Neurology
- Vertigo
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Cognitive Disorders and Geriatric Neurology
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Common Tests and Preparation
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- What it is: A test that measures and records the electrical activity of your brain by using sensors (electrodes) attached to your scalp with a paste and connected by wires to a computer.
- Why is it done: To confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy and determine treatment type, identify and locate a suspected brain lesion (tumor, inflammation, infection), evaluate periods of unconsciousness or dementia, predict a person’s chance of recovery after a change in consciousness, study some sleep disorders.
- How to Prepare: Tell your doctor what medications you are taking before the day of the test. Avoid foods that contain caffeine for at least 8 hours before the test. Eat a small meal shortly before the test (low blood sugar may produce an abnormal test result). Have clean hair, free of sprays, oils, creams, lotions, and other hair care substances. Shampoo your hair and rinse with clear water the evening before or morning of the test. Do not apply any hair conditioners or oils after shampooing. You may have to be asleep during the test, if so, your doctor may ask you to reduce your sleep time to 2-3 hours the night before the test by going to bed later and getting up earlier than usual. If you know that you are going to have a sleep-deprived EEG, plan to have someone drive you to and from the test.
- Flash Electroretinogram (ERG)
- What it is: A test that measures the electrical response of the eye’s light-sensitive cells (rods and cones). It also checks other cell layers in the retina.
- Why is it done: the test will give your doctor information about the cells in your retina which give you color vision, detailed contrast detection, night vision and peripheral vision.
- How to prepare: If you wear contact lenses, bring your lens case and solution. You can’t wear contacts during the test. You shouldn’t wear any makeup, your hair should be clean and dry (no hairspray, gel or oil – hair products may interfere with your doctor’s ability to get a good recording from the scalp electrode. If you have difficulty driving when your eyes are dilated, you will need to arrange for a driver. You may wish to bring sunglasses to the appointment to wear after the test.
- Electromyogram (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS)
- What is it: Studies nerve and muscle diseases. EMG studies if your muscles and nerves are working right. You can have problems with your muscles and nerves in only one part of your body or throughout your body. The EMG doctor examines you to decide what tests to do. The results of the tests will help you doctor decide what is wrong and how it can be treated. Needle EMG is a small, thin needle is inserted into several muscles to see if there are any problems. A new needle is used for each patient, and it is thrown away after the test. There may be a small amount of pain when the needle is put in. The doctor examines only the muscles necessary to decide what is wrong. The needle will send electrical signals to the EMG machine, which your doctor will read.
- Why is it done: Patients are sent to the EMG lab because of numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, and/or muscle cramping. Some of the tests that the EMG doctor may use are nerve conduction studies and/or needle EMG.
- How to prepare: Tell the EMG doctor if you are taking aspirin, blood thinners, have a pacemaker, or have hemophilia. Take a bath or shower to remove oil from your skin. Do not use body lotion on the day of the test. If you have Myasthenia Gravis, ask your EMG doctor if you should take any medications before the test.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
- What is it: Test used to produce detailed images of the retina. It is much like ultrasound, except that it uses light beams instead of sound waves. During the exam, focused beams of light are directed into the eye. The light beams scan the structural features of the retina, producing a cross-section image similar to a topographical map. The test takes about 10 to 20 minutes and usually requires dilation of the pupils.
- Why is it done: Optical coherence tomography helps physicians evaluate problems with the retina such as swelling and holes, as well as abnormalities of the optic nerve. It can be useful in diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma.
- Visual Evoked Potential (VEP)
- What it is: An electrophysiological test that is designed to measure the function of the optic nerves. Patients are seated in a comfortable chair while 5 scalp electrodes are placed on the patient’s head. No pain is involved. Patients are asked to watch a television screen on which a visual stimulus is presented.
- Why is it done: To test the function of the optic nerves.
- How to prepare: Bring prescription glasses or contacts to the test. Arrive with clean, dry, oil-free hair. We ask that patients wash their hair the morning of the test and that they don’t put any hairspray, gel, conditioners, or hair oils on the scalp. The electrode paste used is water soluble and will wash out with normal shampoo and water. Testing typically takes about 45 mins and does not require pupil dilation.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
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Additional Information
Alzheimer’s Disease
Epilepsy
General Neurological Diseases
Local Hospitals
Multiple Sclerosis
Neuro-Ophthalmology
Parkinson’s Disease
Professional Organizations/Other
- American Academy of Neurology
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American Medical Association
- American Neurological Association
- American Osteopathic Association
Stroke
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