Use of Quantitative EEG for the Diagnosis of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Patient Guideline Summary
Publication Date: June 30, 2021
Last Updated: March 2, 2023
Objective
Objective
This patient summary means to discuss key recommendations from the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) for the use of quantitative EEG for the diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury. It is limited to adults 18 years of age and older and should not be used as a reference for children.
Overview
Overview
- An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a recording of the electrical activity of the brain. Although it is useful to diagnose seizure disorders, its use to diagnose other abnormalities of the brain has generally not proved successful.
- This guideline summarizes efforts to use computer algorithms to read EEGs more precisely in the diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The computerized reading of EEGs is called quantitative EEG (qEEG).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
- qEEG has not yet demonstrated clinically useful improvement over human interpretation to diagnose mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
- qEEG, therefore, remains an investigational tool needing further research before widespread use.
Abbreviations
- ACNS: American Clinical Neurophysiology Society
- EEG: Electroencephalogram
- mTBI: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
- qEEG: Quantitative EEG
Source Citation
Tenney JR, Gloss D, Arya R, Kaplan PW, Lesser R, Sexton V, Nuwer M. Practice Guideline: Use of Quantitative EEG for the Diagnosis of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Report of the Guideline Committee of the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society. J Clin Neurophysiol. 2021 Jul 1;38(4):287-292. doi: 10.1097/WNP.0000000000000853. PMID: 34038930.
Disclaimer
The information in this patient summary should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.