Posted by CCF neuro MD on January 22, 1998 at 11:31:23:

In Reply to: EEG posted by Cindy Teets on January 22, 1998 at 09:28:14:

: I am currently under a doctors care for depression. He ordered

a EEG, which came back abnormal. He then ordered a CT Scan of the

head. My question is why an EEG for depression? I thought EEG's

detected epilepsy. I have never had any problems with epilepsy.

What are some other possibilities that my EEG would come back

abnormal? Thank you for any info.

EEG is most commonly ordered for the diagnosis of epilepsy, it is used to detect other brain disorders also, but it is not routinely ordered in the work-up of depression. It is impossible to guess why yoour Doctor ordered the test but it could have been from any one of a number of factors which arose in your evaluation, it would not necessarily be the possibility of epilepsy however.

There are various abnormalities which vcan artise on an EEG, some are specific like the sharp waves seen in Epilepsy and some are very non-specific and cannot always be used to clarify a diagnosis.

Non specific EEG abnormalities are seen in a range of situations from people who are completely normal to liver disease, dementia, epileptics, coma, brain tumors, people who have had previous brain surgery etc.

This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.

Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.