EEG (Electroencephalogram)
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a painless, non-invasive test that records the brain's electrical activity through small sensors placed on the scalp. It helps diagnose and classify epilepsy and seizures, and investigates blackouts, episodes of altered awareness, certain sleep disorders and other neurological conditions. No needles or radiation are involved.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
An EEG records the tiny electrical signals that brain cells produce as they communicate. A technician places a set of small sensors (electrodes) on the scalp using a gentle paste; nothing penetrates the skin. The sensors detect patterns of brain activity, which are recorded while you rest, and sometimes during deep breathing or with flashing lights to bring out any abnormal activity. EEG is the key test for diagnosing and classifying epilepsy and different seizure types, and it is also used to investigate blackouts and fainting, episodes of confusion or altered awareness, certain sleep disorders, and to assess brain function in a range of neurological conditions. It is completely painless and uses no radiation.
International neurology patients are guided by a dedicated coordinator who arranges scheduling, interpreter services and clear preparation instructions, including whether a sleep-deprived or prolonged recording is needed. Our neurology team can review your previous EEG reports, brain scans and seizure history remotely before you travel, advise on the most useful type of study, and provide a transparent, itemised cost estimate in advance.
Who is a candidate?
- Diagnosing epilepsy and identifying the type of seizures
- Investigating blackouts, fainting or unexplained loss of consciousness
- Episodes of confusion, staring spells or altered awareness
- Assessing the cause of recurrent or unusual movements or sensations
- Evaluating certain sleep disorders or monitoring known epilepsy and treatment
- Assessing brain function in encephalitis, after a brain injury or in unexplained neurological symptoms
What happens
- 1
Preparation
Arrive with clean, dry hair free of oils, gels or sprays so the sensors attach well. Follow any instructions on medications and caffeine. For a sleep-deprived study you may be asked to sleep less the night before so the brain is more likely to show useful activity.
- 2
Applying the sensors
A technician measures your scalp and attaches small electrodes with a gentle, washable paste or a fitted cap. This is painless and takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The sensors only listen to your brain's activity; they do not deliver any current.
- 3
During the recording
You relax with your eyes open and closed while the activity is recorded. You may be asked to breathe deeply for a couple of minutes or to look at a flashing light, as these can reveal abnormal patterns. In some cases you will be allowed to fall asleep during the recording.
- 4
Prolonged or sleep studies
If needed, the recording can be extended, combined with video, or carried out over a longer period to capture infrequent events. Your coordinator will explain in advance if a longer study is planned and what it involves.
- 5
Afterwards & results
The sensors are removed and the paste washed out; there are no after-effects and you can return to normal activities and driving straight away. A neurologist with expertise in EEG interprets the recording, and a report is usually ready within a few days and shared with you and your home physician.
Benefits
- Completely painless and non-invasive, with no needles or radiation
- The key test for diagnosing epilepsy and classifying seizure types
- Helps distinguish seizures from fainting and other causes of blackouts
- Can be extended with video or sleep recording to capture rare events
- No recovery time, so you resume normal activities immediately
- Safe to repeat and useful for monitoring known conditions and treatment
Risks & considerations
- An essentially risk-free test; the sensors only record activity and deliver no current
- Possible mild skin irritation or redness where the sensors and paste are applied
- Temporary lightheadedness from the deep-breathing part of the test, which quickly settles
- Very rarely, the flashing-light stimulation can trigger a seizure, which the team is fully prepared to manage
- A normal recording does not always exclude epilepsy, so a repeat or longer study may be advised
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Neurological Sciences Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
EEG (Electroencephalogram) — frequently asked questions
No. An EEG is completely painless. The sensors only listen to the electrical activity your brain naturally produces; they do not send any current into you. There are no needles and no radiation.
Come with clean, dry hair without oils, gels or sprays so the sensors attach well, and follow any advice on medications and caffeine. For a sleep-deprived study you may be asked to sleep less the night before. Your coordinator provides full, translated instructions.
Usually not. In most cases you continue your normal medication, but your neurologist will give you specific advice if any change is needed for a particular type of study, so always confirm before stopping anything.
A neurologist with expertise in EEG reviews the recording and a report is usually ready within a few days. The findings are explained to you and shared with your home doctor.
Yes. Our neurology team can review your earlier EEG reports, brain scans and seizure history remotely before you arrive, advise on the most useful type of study, and plan it efficiently within your visit.
The cost depends on the type of study, such as a standard routine EEG, a sleep-deprived study or a longer video-EEG recording. After a remote review of your history we provide a transparent, itemised personalised estimate before you travel, with no hidden fees.
Related treatments
Considering eeg (electroencephalogram)?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.