St. Mary’s high-tech Neuro Lab evaluates brain and nervous system function. The highly specialized staff helps patients receive services including:

• Encephalograms (EEGs).

  EEGs record the electrical activity of the brain.

• Long term EEG monitoring with video.

  Patients are admitted to the hospital, usually for 24-48 hours, and a continuous EEG is recorded along with video to assess physical change with changes in brain wave activity. Patients keep a diary of their events and are visually monitored by the nursing staff during their stay.

• Ambulatory EEGs.

  Patients are given a small EEG recorder to be worn at home for continuous monitoring for 2-3 days. Patients record their daily activities in a journal throughout the course of the test. EEG records along with patient journal entries are reviewed by staff.

• Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS).

  These studies evaluate the speed at which nerve signals travel and can help diagnose if the nerves are working properly.

• Electromyograms (EMG).

  EMGs are performed by a neurologist to test how well the nerves and muscles interact.

• Intra-operative monitoring.

  Intra-operative monitoring is performed during brain and spinal surgery to ensure that there are no changes in conduction and function of the nervous system. The information is transmitted to the neuro-hospitalist on staff for immediate interpretation and this information is conveyed to the surgeon so changes can be made if needed.

• Evoked potential studies.

  These studies evaluate the integrety of the visual (VER), auditory (BAER), and Somatosensory (SER) systems.

For information talk to your physician or call (706) 389-3900.