Electroencephalography (EEG) (cont.)
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During the Procedure
A standard noninvasive EEG takes about 1 hour. You will be positioned on a padded bed or table, or in a comfortable chair. To measure the electrical activity in various parts of your brain, a nurse or EEG technician will attach 16-20 electrodes to your scalp. Your brain generates electrical impulses that these electrodes will pick up. To improve the conduction of these impulses to the electrodes, a gel will be applied to them. Then a temporary glue will be used to attach them to your skin. No pain will be involved.
The electrodes only gather the impulses given off by your brain and do not transmit any stimulus to your brain. The technician may tell you to breathe slowly or quickly and may use visual stimuli such as flashing lights to see what happens in your brain when you see these things. The brain's electrical activity is recorded continuously throughout the exam on special EEG paper.
- Sleep EEG: During a specialized sleep EEG, you will be placed in a room that encourages relaxation and asked to fall asleep while your brain's electrical activity is recorded. The sleep EEG will last about 2-3 hours.
- Ambulatory EEG: During a specialized ambulatory (moving from place to place, walking) EEG, the electrodes are placed on your scalp and attached to a portable cassette recorder. You will be allowed to go home and resume normal activities while the EEG continuously records. The ambulatory EEG typically lasts 24 hours.
Next: After the Procedure »
Important Safety Information
Vimpat (lacosamide) is a medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial onset seizures in patients 17 years of age and older with epilepsy. Vimpat is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your doctor if Vimpat is right for you. Antiepileptic drugs, including Vimpat, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self harm that you have never had before or may be worse than before. Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide at the end of the full prescribing information. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment. Please see additional Patient Safety Information
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Normal EEG Variants »
The phrases "electroencephalogram (EEG) variant waves" or "normal EEG variants" refer to waves that are rare or unusual but not generally abnormal.


