What Are Neurodiagnostic Tests?
Neurodiagnostic testing consists of specialized procedures that record and analyze electrical activity in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves to diagnose neurological disorders.
What Neurological Conditions Do We Diagnose?
Neurodiagnostic tests can be used to diagnose:
- Seizure disorders.
- Sleep disorders.
- Brain dysfunction.
- Degenerative/cognitive conditions.
- Psychiatric association.
- Nerve disorders.
- Motor neuron diseases.
- Muscle diseases.
- Structural nerve issues.
- Orthostatic tachycardia (POTS).
- Autonomic neuropathy.
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
Who’s Eligible for Neurodiagnostic Testing?
You may be eligible for neurodiagnostic testing if you have symptoms of a neurological disorder and your doctor wants to confirm or rule out a neurological diagnosis.
What Neurodiagnostic Testing Services Do We Offer?
We offer a full range of neurodiagnostic tests, including:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) — An EEG test uses electrodes attached to your scalp to record the electrical activity of your brain. For your convenience, our specialists perform diagnostic EEG tests in our office.
- Electromyography (EMG) — An EMG uses small needle electrodes to record the electrical activity generated by your muscles. EMG typically is done with a nerve conduction study (NCS).
- Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) —The EMU is an inpatient unit specially designed to evaluate, monitor, and diagnose seizures.
- Magnetoencephalogram (MEG) — Uses magnetic fields produced by electrical signals in your brain to map brain function and diagnose conditions such as epilepsy and tumors.
- Nerve conduction study — Uses electrical impulses to test how well your nerves are transmitting electrical signals to your muscles.
- Stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) — Also known as stereotactic electroencephalography, sEEG is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to locate the areas in your brain where epileptic seizures start. SEEG can also be performed to identify sensory, motor, and language centers so your surgeon can avoid them during surgery.
- Sudomotor testing — Assesses how well your sweat glands work by measuring sweat output.
- Video-EEG (vEEG) monitoring — Uses video to record movements and sounds during an EEG exam, which may be performed in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU).
- Evoked potential testing – Measures the electrical activity of the brain in response to specific sensory stimuli such as visual, auditory, or touch signals. It helps evaluate how well the nerves and pathways from the body to the brain are functioning.
- Quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) — Uses a small electric current and acetylcholine to measure sweat output. This test is used to help determine how your small fiber nerves are functioning.
- Autonomic reflex screen — Consists of four tests: QSART, deep breathing, Valsalva, and tilt table. These tests are used to evaluate symptoms of autonomic dysfunction.
What Can I Expect?
Our specialists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms and order tests to provide information about your condition and help with an accurate diagnosis.
After you receive your diagnosis, our neurology specialists will use your test results to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your individual condition and symptoms.
Why Choose UPMC for Neurodiagnostic Care?
When you choose UPMC for neurodiagnostic care, you will receive:
- Access to expert providers — At UPMC, our team includes board-certified neurologists and advanced practice providers who are specially trained to diagnose and manage a full range of neurological conditions.
- Comprehensive care — We are committed to helping you manage the physical and emotional aspects of your neurological disorder and to providing comprehensive, patient-centered neurological care. When surgical care is needed, we collaborate with neurosurgeons to develop a personalized treatment plan to help manage your condition.
- Advanced treatment options — We offer the most advanced treatment options and work closely with other health care providers to coordinate your care and connect you with the additional services you need.
