What is the normal reaction to an EEG strobe test?

Question

I have had a few problems lately with headaches and spells where I zone out and can't come back so I went my neurologist and I got an EEG. I had had my eyes closed for a while during the test when the doctor came in and said it was time for strobe portion. She held a strobe light over my head and turned it on. She would have me open and close my eyes and she would change the frequencies of the flashes. However with every flash, my back would twitch increasingly more intense. Is this normal?

Answer 1

A normal response is always what would be expected in a completely healthy person that has no medical concerns. In the case of blinking, hyperventilating or photic stimulation (strobe) that is used for an EEG the normal response is for this to have no physiological or neurological effect. So no physical signs are present and nothing changes on the EEG readings is the normal response.



If you have twitching in your back or other body parts while stimulation during an EEG test, this more than likely shows that some form of abnormal electrical activity is occurring within the central nervous system. Stimulation is used because it often un-masks abnormal brain activity that cannot be seen when a person is at rest and relaxed. For example, when a person has Epilepsy often their EEG can look completely normal. However, when stimulation is used, the EEG can appear abnormal, physical signs can be displayed AND you can even induce a seizure in some people. Lack of sleep is another thing that can un-mask abnormal brain activity. Often a person with Epilepsy will display symptoms if they become overly tired or upon waking from deep sleep. Myoclinic seizures (jerks in the arms and legs) quite commonly occur in people right after they wake up in the morning.



There could be a multitude of reasons why your test was not completely normal. Without seeing your exact EEG printout it is difficult to suggest what may be the issue. So I will leave the diagnosis to your Neurologist. Dont panic though, a lot of people show abnormal readings on EEG's. It doesnt necessarily indicate something bad is occurring.

Answer 2

I had a EEG strobe test. I was told that the lights would be turned off and to close my eyes. Suddenly with in my brain I saw the color baby blue. I went into seizures shortly after the test. The strobe test trigger the seizures. How is this possible? I am label as having NEAD.

Answer 3

can also cause epileptic seizures, flashing florescent lights can also start headaches.On TV they have to give warnings of flashing photography coming on.Popa

Answer 4

Maybe yes