![eeg scan eeg scan](https://www.welivesecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/brainscannn.jpg)
![eeg scan eeg scan](http://nervecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/EEG1.jpg)
A technician measures your head and marks your scalp with a special pencil, to indicate where to attach the electrodes.In order to help you have a seizure or event your medications are typically reduced prior to or the same day of your admission (Follow Doctors Instructions).Here is what you can expect during an EMU Admission: Visitors are allowed during your EMU admission and a family member or loved one who is familiar with the seizure is encouraged to stay with the patient.Please be sure your transportation is set up to and from the hospital.You may bring electronics (laptop etc.) to use during your stay.Arrive at your scheduled time, delays can occur if you are late.
![eeg scan eeg scan](https://images.wisegeek.com/boy-getting-electroencephalogram.jpg)
Follow your physician’s instructions regarding your medication.If you have weaves or braids, they may need to be removed before a test can be completed. Hair products can make it harder for the sticky patches that hold the electrodes to adhere to your scalp. Wash your hair the night before or the day of the test, but don't use any conditioners, hair creams, sprays or styling gels.This will give us very important information as to where the seizure originated in the brain. You will then be transported to another department with a specialized scanner for an imaging study. The tracer is attracted to the part of the brain that is causing theseizure. When an event is identified, the technologist will inject a small amount of the tracer compound into your vein through an IV (intravenous). This will be performed just like a regular EMU admission, but a specialized tech will be at your bedside and wait for an event to occur. In some cases we will do a test called Ictal SPECT scan. This will allow us to see any abnormal brain patterns that happen, even if you are unaware they are happening. EEG Recording: While in the EMU you will have continuous EEG (brain waves) recorded.These simple things will help us to identify the type of event and where in the brain it has occurred. The technologist will also interact with you during and after an event to test your speech, memory and response to specific questions. There will be an EEG Technologist in the monitoring room at all times to watch you and record any events during your stay. Digital Video Recording: A camera will record all of your physical activity while your are having your EEG recorded.This test can also be used if you continue to have seizures after trying different medications and to confirm or rule out the diagnosis of epilepsy and also to help locate the part of the brain where seizures start. This allows the epileptologist to have a very comprehensive understanding of your seizures. As the study is performed in controlled setting of the hospital, the physician can lower or stop your seizure medications to increase chance of rfecording seizures during the study. The EMU is used to record abnormal brain activity during seizures that could not be recorded with the regular 20 minute EEG or Ambulatory EEG (aEEG). This gives your doctor a better understanding of your seizures by seeing how your brain functioning and what you are physicially doing during the event. This is a specialized unit in the hospital where a patient is admitted for 3-5 days for continuous monitoring of brain activity using EEG and Video. What is an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU?)