MCQ Detailed View

The human brain is an extremely active organ that constantly generates tiny electrical signals as billions of neurons communicate with each other. To measure this electrical activity, doctors and scientists use a medical test called the Electroencephalogram (EEG).An EEG records electrical impulses by placing small electrodes on the scalp. These electrodes detect the rhythmic activity of brain cells and transmit the signals to a computer for analysis. The recorded activity appears as wave-like patterns, known as brain waves, which vary depending on whether a person is awake, asleep, relaxed, or mentally active.

Difference from Other Tests:

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  ECG (Electrocardiogram): This test measures the electrical activity of the heart, not the brain.

  
  


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  X-Ray: Used to visualize bones and internal structures but does not measure brain activity.

  
  


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  EEG: Specifically designed to study brain function by detecting its electrical signals.

  
  

Uses of EEG:

1. 
   

   Diagnosis of Epilepsy: EEG is the most important tool for detecting abnormal electrical discharges in epilepsy patients.

   
   


2. 
   

   Sleep Studies: Helps identify sleep disorders by analyzing brain waves during different sleep stages.

   
   


3. 
   

   Brain Injuries: EEG can detect changes in brain activity after trauma, stroke, or tumors.

   
   


4. 
   

   Monitoring Brain Death: In critical care, EEG is used to check if there is any remaining brain activity in comatose patients.

   
   

Key Facts:

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  Normal brain waves are categorized as alpha, beta, theta, and delta waves.

  
  


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  EEG is non-invasive, painless, and safe.

  
  


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  First developed by Hans Berger in 1929, who discovered that the brain produces measurable electrical signals.

  
  

Thus, the correct answer is EEG (Electroencephalogram), which plays a crucial role in understanding brain health and diagnosing neurological conditions.