electroencephalography
Pronunciation: ih-LEK-tro-en-SEF-uh-LOG-ruh-fee
Non-invasive technique for recording electrical activity of the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp.
Full Definition
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a neurophysiological monitoring method that records electrical activity generated by neural populations in the cerebral cortex. The technique involves placing multiple electrodes on the scalp to detect voltage fluctuations resulting from ionic currents within neurons. EEG is widely used in clinical diagnostics, particularly for epilepsy evaluation, sleep studies, and brain death determination, as well as in neuroscience research to study cognitive processes and brain states.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as EEG; the adjective form is 'electroencephalographic.'
In Context
- "Continuous electroencephalography monitoring was initiated to detect subclinical seizures in the intensive care unit." — Clinical neurology report
- "The electroencephalography results showed characteristic spike-and-wave patterns consistent with absence epilepsy." — Diagnostic report