Clinical Neurophysiology Glossary

Electrical resistance between electrodes and scalp that must be minimized for optimal EEG recording quality.

Sudden reduction in EEG amplitude marking the electrographic onset of certain seizure types.

A sudden reduction in EEG amplitude and frequency marking seizure onset, distinct from postictal suppression.

A diagnostic test that records electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp.

A diagnostic procedure that evaluates the electrical activity of muscles and the nerves controlling them.

A diagnostic test measuring electrical activity of the retina in response to light stimulation.

Characteristic EMG activity recorded near neuromuscular junctions, producing irregular, low-amplitude potentials that so...

Abnormal electrical communication between nerve fibers through their membranes rather than synaptic connections, often s...

Abnormal EEG waveforms resembling epileptic activity, including spikes, sharp waves, and spike-wave complexes.

The process by which normal brain tissue develops the capacity to generate spontaneous seizures.

A neurophysiological response recorded from the nervous system following stimulation of sensory pathways.

A late response recorded during nerve conduction studies reflecting conduction along the entire motor pathway.

Increase in CMAP amplitude with repetitive nerve stimulation, typically seen in presynaptic neuromuscular junction disor...

Spontaneous muscle fiber activity recorded during EMG, appearing as irregular firing motor unit potentials.

Abnormal EMG activity representing spontaneous discharge of individual denervated muscle fibers, indicating nerve or mus...

Frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity indicating metabolic encephalopathy or increased intracranial pressure.

An electrically evoked reflex response used to assess the integrity of the monosynaptic reflex arc.

Chaotic, high-amplitude EEG pattern with multifocal spikes and slow waves, characteristic of infantile spasms syndrome.

Relating to or occurring during an actual seizure episode.

Nuclear medicine imaging technique performed during seizures to identify brain regions with altered blood flow.

Referring to the period between seizure episodes in patients with epilepsy.

Controversial EEG patterns falling between clearly interictal and ictal activity, requiring careful clinical correlation...

Real-time neurophysiological assessment during surgery to detect and prevent nervous system injury.

The variability in neuromuscular transmission time measured between action potentials from the same motor unit in single...