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FWNC NEUROLOGICAL LABORATORY - NEURODIAGNOSTICS
The Fort Wayne Neurological Laboratory is a state-of-the-art laboratory designed to study the neurophysiology of various neurological disorders. Up-to-date equipment and experienced technicians are able to provide diagnostic electrophysiological testing on par with many university settings.
Following is a brief description of some of the electrophysiological testing available at the Fort Wayne Neurological Laboratory.
EMG and Nerve Conduction Velocity Studies
Indications:
An EMG (electromyogram) and nerve conduction velocity study is an electro diagnostic test. The nerve conduction velocity study is performed by a technician. Small electrical stimulations are given to sensory and motor nerves and their velocities recorded. This information aids the neurologist in detecting an abnormality of the peripheral nerves.
The EMG is performed by a physician and consists of the insertion of a thin solid needle to record electrical potentials from muscles located anywhere within the body. There is minimal discomfort with either of the two above procedures. The EMG and nerve conduction velocity study is considered an extension of the neurological examination and is specifically designed for each individual based on the symptoms, findings and prior results of the procedure on an ongoing basis.
The primary purpose of this test is to determine diagnosis and potential prognosis on a physiological basis for various neurological and peripheral nerve disorders.
EEG (Electroencephalogram)
Indications:
An EEG records electrical activity of the brain much like an ECG (electrocardiogram) studies the heart.
Electrodes are applied to the head and the brain wave activity is thus recorded. During the recording, deep breathing and flashing lights may be used. The person may be encouraged to sleep. The EEG is a painless test that helps evaluate a number of conditions. The EEG can help differentiate types of seizures, evaluate dementia or confusion, and identify various forms of subtle brain injury not detected by imaging studies.
24-Hour Ambulatory EEG Monitoring
Indications:
This study is similar to the EEG mentioned above. Here electrodes are placed on the head and connected to a portable recording device that the patient wears.
The patient is then allowed to return home and resume as much of his or her normal activities as possible. The brain wave activity of the individual is thus continuously recorded for a full 24 hours during the patient's normal physical activities. This allows for a more natural evaluation of the patient, in a non-laboratory setting, and allows the patient to be monitored under a variety of different situations throughout the day, including times when the individual is not under constant observation. This is particularly useful during sleeping hours.
Evoked Potential Studies
The term "evoked potential" is useful when describing the nervous system response to a sensory stimulation of some type. Evoked potentials may be used to assess peripheral sensory nerve function or to evaluate the functional integrity of sensory projection pathways in the central nervous system or both. The Fort Wayne Neurological Lab provides an array of sensory evoked potential studies including:
Brain Stem Auditory Evoked Response (BSER)
Indications:
Brain stem auditory evoked responses detect and localize dysfunction of the auditory projection pathways from the inner ear through the brain stem and into the brain. The procedure, which is painless and conducted much like a hearing test, records the activity within this auditory pathway in response to clicking noise delivered to each ear.
Visual Evoked Response (VER)
Indications:
Since many neurological diseases are present with visual symptoms, visual evoked responses are frequently useful to evaluate such symptoms. Electrodes are applied to the head and one eye or the other is stimulated with flashing checkerboards on a video monitor screen. The VER response evaluates the visual input from the retina along the optic nerve and into the optic radiations in the brain to the occipital cortex.
Somatosensory Evoked Response (SSER)
Indications:
Short latency somatosensory evoked responses test the pathway from the peripheral nerves of any extremity, through the spinal cord and brain stem into the brain's sensory cortex. Electrodes are applied to the head and other portions of the body, such as the spine, in a painless manner, and potentials are recorded over these structures in response to a painless electrical stimulation.
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