Electrophysiological techniques

Abstract

Electrophysiological techniques can be used to characterize the brain and central nervous system, as well as various aspects of the peripheral and autonomic nervous system. This chapter focuses on the role of electrophysiological techniques to assess brain function with the use of electroencephalography (EEG), evoked potentials, and noninvasive brain stimulation in aiding the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of brain injury. In patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), EEG is one of the electrophysiological techniques often utilized to assess severity of brain injury and predict prognosis and outcomes. EEG has become a well-established tool in neurological practice, with several applications in the management of patients with stroke, including monitoring of cortical activity in patients who have had an acute ischemic stroke and during carotid surgery. Serial EEGs may thus be helpful in following a patient after TBI and assessing the risk of posttraumatic epilepsy.