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Neurodiagnostic Testing

Neurodiagnostics is the allied health care profession that records, monitors and analyzes nervous system function to promote the effective treatment of pathologic conditions. Technologists record electrical activity arising from the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and somatosensory or motor nerve systems using a variety of techniques and instruments. Technologists prepare data and documentation for interpretation by a physician. Considerable individual initiative, reasoning skills, and sound judgment are all expected of the neurodiagnostic technologist. The most common neurodiagnostic procedures are Electroencephalogram (EEG), Evoked Potential (EP), Polysomnogram (PSG), Nerve Conduction Study (NCS), Long Term Monitoring (LTM), and Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM).

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Electroencephalography (EEG)

A study to evaluate brain function by measuring the electrical activity of the brain.  Electrodes are placed on the scalp and the activity is recorded on a computer.  These waveforms are analyzed by a neurophysiologist, who in turn uses the information to assist in the diagnosis of neurological problems.  EEGs are used in the diagnosis and quantification of seizures, and the process of elimination of non-epileptic disorders, such as movement disorders and structural lesions.  They can also be used to evaluate psychiatric conditions, developmental problems, and sleep-related conditions.

Electromyography/
Nerve Conduction Studies (EMG/NCS)

Electrical testing of nerve and muscle functions, which can help, determine the need for surgical intervention vs. medical treatment.
 

Common uses include evaluation and diagnosis of common nerve and muscle-related conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, causes of back pain (slipped disc.), diabetes, and progressive muscle problems.  The anticipated need is heavier in the adult population.

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Evoked Potentials
(EP)

EPs measure the brain’s response to particular stimuli and are utilized in the assessment of hearing, spinal cord injury, and brainstem injuries.  After electrodes are applied to the scalp and other areas of the body a stimulus is applied to a particular pathway while the computer records the time it takes for the brain to respond.  This information is analyzed by a neurophysiologist and used in diagnosing and monitoring the progress of many neurodegenerative diseases. Types of testing include:

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  • Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP)

  • Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP)

  • Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP)

Polysomnography or Sleep study

A sleep study is a multi-parametric test used in the study of sleep and as a diagnostic tool in sleep medicine. The test result is called a polysomnogram, also abbreviated PSG. The name is derived from Greek and Latin roots: the Greek πολύς (polus for “many, much”, indicating many channels), the Latin somnus (“sleep”), and the Greek γράφειν (graphein, “to write”).
 

Polysomnography is a comprehensive recording of the bio-physiological changes that occur during sleep. It is usually performed at night when most people sleep, though some labs can accommodate shift workers and people with circadian rhythm sleep disorders and do the test at other times of the day. The PSG monitors many body functions including brain (EEG), eye movements (EOG), muscle activity or skeletal muscle activation (EMG), and heart rhythm (ECG) during sleep. After the identification of the sleep disorder, sleep apnea in the 1970s, the breathing functions respiratory airflow, and respiratory effort indicators were added along with peripheral pulse oximetry.

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