Clinician: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:07, 15 February 2025

Electroencephalography (EEG)[edit]

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a method used to record electrical activity of the brain. It is typically non-invasive, with the electrodes placed along the scalp, although invasive electrodes are sometimes used, as in electrocorticography.

History[edit]

The history of EEG dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first recording of human EEG was made by Hans Berger, a German psychiatrist, in 1924. Berger's work laid the foundation for the development of EEG as a clinical tool.

Mechanism[edit]

EEG measures voltage fluctuations resulting from ionic current within the neurons of the brain. The signals are captured by electrodes placed on the scalp and are amplified and recorded by a computer.

Clinical Applications[edit]

EEG is used in the diagnosis of several neurological disorders, including:

Epilepsy: EEG is the most important diagnostic test for epilepsy. It helps in identifying abnormal electrical activity in the brain that is characteristic of epileptic seizures.
Sleep disorders: EEG is used in sleep studies to diagnose conditions such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
Brain death: EEG can be used to confirm brain death by showing a lack of electrical activity in the brain.

EEG Patterns[edit]

EEG patterns are classified into different frequency bands:

Delta waves (0.5–4 Hz)
Theta waves (4–8 Hz)
Alpha waves (8–13 Hz)
Beta waves (13–30 Hz)
Gamma waves (30 Hz and above)

Each of these patterns is associated with different states of brain activity and consciousness.

Limitations[edit]

While EEG is a valuable tool, it has limitations. The spatial resolution is relatively low, meaning it is difficult to pinpoint the exact location of brain activity. Additionally, EEG is sensitive to artifacts from muscle activity, eye movements, and other sources.

Related pages[edit]

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-{{Refimprove|date=October 2017}}
+== Electroencephalography (EEG) ==
-A '''clinician''' is a [[health care]] professional that works as a primary care giver of a [[patient]] in a hospital, [[skilled nursing facility]], [[clinic]], or patient's home. A clinician diagnoses and treats patients. For example, [[physicians]], [[nurse practitioners]], [[clinical pharmacist]] and [[physician assistant]]s are clinicians; a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is a clinician, a [[speech-language pathology]] assistant (SLPA) is not. Clinicians take comprehensive exams to be licensed and some complete graduate degrees (master's or doctorates) in their field of expertise. Although a clinician must follow evidence-based best-practices and other professional codes of conduct set by laws and professional governing bodies, a clinician can choose to practice without another's supervision.
-The main function of a clinician is to manage a sick person in order to cure the effects of their illness.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=A. Tumulty|first=Philip.|date=1970|title=What Is a Clinician and What Does He Do?|url=|journal=The New England Journal of Medicine|volume=10.1056/NEJM197007022830105|pages=283. 20–4|via=|doi=10.1056/nejm197007022830105}}</ref>
+[[File:EEG_early_studies_edited.jpg|thumb|right|Early studies in EEG]]
-A clinician is one whose prime function is to manage a sick person with the purpose of alleviating the total effect of his illness. The multifocal character of the impact of illness upon the patient and his family is stressed. Clinical evidence is the material with which the physician works, and a meticulous history and physical examination are paramount. The availability of more specific forms of therapy requires a clinician to be more of a scientist and, at the same time, more expert in clinical methods. Ability to listen and to talk, so that valid clinical evidence is gathered, anxieties are dissipated, and understanding and motivation are instilled, are the clinicians' greatest assets.
+'''Electroencephalography''' ('''EEG''') is a method used to record electrical activity of the brain. It is typically non-invasive, with the electrodes placed along the scalp, although invasive electrodes are sometimes used, as in electrocorticography.
-== Modern definition ==
+== History ==
-A clinician is a trained personnel (such as a doctor, physician assistant, pharmacist, nurse) who works directly with patients rather than in a laboratory or as a researcher.<ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Clinician|accessdate=2018-12-14}}</ref>
-== See also ==
+The history of EEG dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first recording of human EEG was made by [[Hans Berger]], a German psychiatrist, in 1924. Berger's work laid the foundation for the development of EEG as a clinical tool.
-* [[List of healthcare occupations]]
-== References ==
+== Mechanism ==
-{{reflist}}
-[[Category:Healthcare occupations]]
+EEG measures voltage fluctuations resulting from ionic current within the neurons of the brain. The signals are captured by electrodes placed on the scalp and are amplified and recorded by a computer.
-{{med-stub}}
+== Clinical Applications ==
-{{term-stub}}
-{{job-stub}}
+EEG is used in the diagnosis of several neurological disorders, including:
+* [[Epilepsy]]: EEG is the most important diagnostic test for epilepsy. It helps in identifying abnormal electrical activity in the brain that is characteristic of epileptic seizures.
+* [[Sleep disorders]]: EEG is used in sleep studies to diagnose conditions such as [[sleep apnea]] and [[narcolepsy]].
+* [[Brain death]]: EEG can be used to confirm brain death by showing a lack of electrical activity in the brain.
+== EEG Patterns ==
+EEG patterns are classified into different frequency bands:
+* [[Delta waves]] (0.5–4 Hz)
+* [[Theta waves]] (4–8 Hz)
+* [[Alpha waves]] (8–13 Hz)
+* [[Beta waves]] (13–30 Hz)
+* [[Gamma waves]] (30 Hz and above)
+Each of these patterns is associated with different states of brain activity and consciousness.
+== Limitations ==
+While EEG is a valuable tool, it has limitations. The spatial resolution is relatively low, meaning it is difficult to pinpoint the exact location of brain activity. Additionally, EEG is sensitive to artifacts from muscle activity, eye movements, and other sources.
+== Related pages ==
+* [[Neuroimaging]]
+* [[Functional magnetic resonance imaging]]
+* [[Magnetoencephalography]]
+[[Category:Neurophysiology]]
+[[Category:Medical tests]]