Some waveforms or activity on an EEG are normal, while others may be within normal limits for some people but not others.What does it mean when an EEG shows spikes, sharp, or slow waves?įirst it’s important to realize that it may mean something very different for each person. This is the best way to tell if an episode or event is an epilepsy seizure. Then the electrical activity of the brain at the time of the symptoms can be looked at in detail. This test tries to record the EEG when the person is having symptoms thought to be seizures. If a person continues to have episodic events and the diagnosis is not clear, then EEG telemetry may be recommended. They don’t occur all the time, so changes on an EEG won’t be seen all the time. It’s important to remember that seizures are episodic, meaning they are events with a beginning and end. It does mean that during that period of time, seizure activity as evidenced by bursts of abnormal electricity was not seen.

The main question in both situations – What does this mean for your unique situation? Let’s start with the normal EEG.Ī routine EEG or an EEG of any kind that is read as normal when a person is not having any observed or subjective symptoms may not mean much. Yet, it’s equally confusing when a person is told there was a lot of activity or specific kinds of activity found. It can be very confusing when someone has an EEG and is told that it was normal. Lately a number of questions have arisen in our Connect Community about the meaning of EEG findings.

Eeg normal vs epilepsy