Clinical Neurophysiology Glossary
100 terms total — 20 showing — Last updated 26 Oct 2026
photoparoxysmal response
An abnormal EEG response to intermittent photic stimulation characterized by spike-wave discharges.
benign epileptiform transients of sleep
Normal variant EEG findings during sleep that may resemble epileptiform activity but lack clinical significance.
benign epileptiform variants
Normal EEG patterns that resemble epileptiform discharges but are not associated with seizure disorders.
benign rolandic epilepsy
Childhood epilepsy syndrome characterized by focal seizures with centrotemporal spikes, typically resolving by adolescen...
depth electrode
Surgically implanted intracranial electrode that records directly from deep brain structures.
electroencephalogram
A diagnostic test that records electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp.
ephaptic transmission
Abnormal electrical communication between nerve fibers through their membranes rather than synaptic connections, often s...
epileptiform discharge
Abnormal EEG waveforms resembling epileptic activity, including spikes, sharp waves, and spike-wave complexes.
epileptogenesis
The process by which normal brain tissue develops the capacity to generate spontaneous seizures.
periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges
Abnormal EEG pattern showing rhythmic epileptiform activity occurring at regular intervals over one brain hemisphere.
refractory epilepsy
Epilepsy that fails to respond adequately to two appropriate antiepileptic medications tried sequentially at therapeutic...
REM sleep behavior disorder
A parasomnia characterized by loss of normal muscle atonia during REM sleep, resulting in dream enactment behaviors.
repetitive discharge
Abnormal EMG findings characterized by repeated firing of the same muscle fiber or motor unit, often indicating neuromus...
repetitive nerve stimulation
An electrodiagnostic technique using repeated nerve stimulation to assess neuromuscular junction function.
SEP
A neurophysiological test measuring electrical activity in the brain in response to touch or vibration stimuli.
sleep architecture
The structural organization and pattern of sleep stages throughout a sleep period.
sleep onset REM
Abnormal occurrence of REM sleep within 15 minutes of sleep onset, often associated with narcolepsy and other hypersomno...
sleep spindle
Characteristic EEG waveforms appearing during stage 2 sleep, consisting of 11-15 Hz activity in spindle-shaped bursts.
SSEP
A neurophysiological test measuring electrical responses along sensory pathways from peripheral nerves to the cerebral c...
status epilepticus
Medical emergency characterized by prolonged seizure activity lasting more than five minutes or recurrent seizures witho...
SUDEP
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy; unexplained death in individuals with epilepsy, often occurring during or after sei...