Quick Answer
An eeg test records the brain’s electrical activity through scalp sensors. The recording is passive and no electricity is delivered. Performed at 1691 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 100, Henderson NV 89012 and interpreted within the practice by a neurologist with fellowship training in epilepsy.
Part ofThis guide sits beneath eeg testing, which covers the study itself, how it is performed and what the report should contain.
EEG Testing in our accredited lab →Key Takeaways
- No electricity is delivered to you. Sensors attach with a cool, slightly sticky paste.
- You rest quietly, sometimes with eyes closed, and may be asked to breathe deeply for a period.
- Dozing is useful rather than a problem, because sleep often reveals activity wakefulness does not.
- Wash your hair beforehand and leave nothing in it. That single instruction affects recording quality most.
- Performed at 1691 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 100, Henderson NV 89012. Paste washes out and no driver is needed unless reduced sleep was requested.
Electroencephalography
An electroencephalogram records the brain's electrical activity through sensors placed on the scalp. It is used to look for patterns associated with seizures and to help classify unexplained episodes.
What the recording captures, and what it cannot
An electroencephalogram records the brain’s electrical activity through the scalp. Nothing is delivered to the patient; the recording is entirely passive, which is the first thing worth knowing because most people assume otherwise.
A window rather than a verdict
A routine recording samples a short period, typically twenty to forty minutes. Epilepsy is intermittent by definition, so a normal recording means nothing abnormal appeared during that window rather than that nothing is wrong. That is the single most misread result in this area, and it is why the account of the event, particularly from someone who witnessed it, continues to carry more diagnostic weight than the study. Where events are infrequent, multi-day ambulatory monitoring exists precisely because the window is the limitation.
The opposite error, which matters more
Over-calling. Several entirely normal variants closely resemble abnormalities, and a recording read as abnormal when it is not can commit a patient to years of medication they never needed and a driving restriction they never warranted. That is a real harm rather than a theoretical one, and it is the reason interpretation is kept within the practice by a physician with fellowship training in epilepsy rather than sent out.
What the protocol includes
Periods with eyes open and closed. Deep breathing for a short interval, which can bring out certain patterns. And a flashing light, which is stopped immediately if it produces any effect. Some studies deliberately request reduced sleep beforehand, because sleep deprivation makes abnormal activity more likely to appear, and that instruction is given individually rather than assumed.
| Also considered | How it is distinguished |
|---|---|
| Ambulatory EEG | Records over several days at home and captures events a short recording can miss. |
| MRI | Shows structure; EEG shows electrical function. |
| Cardiac monitoring | Used where fainting rather than seizure is suspected. |
| Sleep study | Preferred where events arise only from sleep and a sleep disorder is suspected. |
Preparation and what the appointment involves
01
What brings people in
An unexplained episode, a first seizure, or a need to classify events before or during treatment.
02
What the evaluation settles
Whether epileptiform patterns are present, whether findings are focal or generalised, and whether a longer recording is needed.
03
What you leave with
An interpreted recording read by a neurologist, with a clear statement of what a normal study does and does not exclude.
Hair, and why it is the one instruction that matters
Wash your hair the night before or that morning and use nothing afterwards: no conditioner left in, no oil, gel, spray or dry shampoo. Sensors are attached with paste and residue interferes with contact, which degrades the recording. Braids, extensions and hairpieces make placement difficult, so mention them when booking rather than on arrival.
What it feels like
Sensors are attached to the scalp with a paste, which is cool and slightly sticky. You rest quietly, sometimes with your eyes closed, and may be asked to breathe deeply for a period. Nothing is uncomfortable and no electricity is delivered. Many patients doze, which is useful rather than a problem, because sleep frequently reveals activity that wakefulness does not.
Afterwards
The paste washes out with ordinary shampoo, occasionally needing a second wash. No recovery period, ordinary activity resumes immediately and no driver is required, unless reduced sleep was requested as part of the protocol, in which case arranging a lift is sensible.
Who interprets it
A neurologist with fellowship training in epilepsy, within the practice, at both offices. That matters because normal variants resemble abnormalities and the consequence of over-calling is years of unnecessary treatment. The American Epilepsy Society publishes the clinical guidance this follows.
The first 30, 60 and 90 days
Step 1
First visit
History and neurological examination, a review of records and prior imaging, and a decision on which studies are actually indicated. You leave with the plan, not just a referral.
Step 2
Within 30 days
Indicated in-office studies are performed and interpreted by the neurologist who ordered them, in our AANEM-accredited laboratories. Results are explained in plain language.
Step 3
60 to 90 days
Follow-up to judge whether the plan is working, adjust it, and coordinate with your referring clinician. Where a diagnosis needs time to confirm, this is where it is revisited.
Attending from Henderson
The Henderson office is at 1691 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 100, just off the 215 Beltway, with parking on site. All six in-office studies are performed and interpreted there, so nothing is sent across to Las Vegas. Green Valley, Anthem, Whitney and Boulder City are generally closer to it than to Flamingo Road. Adults 18 and older.
Referred for an EEG?
Wash your hair beforehand and leave nothing in it. That single instruction affects the recording quality most.
The Bottom Line
Nothing is delivered to you and nothing hurts. Wash your hair and leave it bare, because that affects the recording more than anything else you do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an EEG hurt or deliver a shock?
Neither. Sensors are attached to the scalp with a cool, slightly sticky paste and the recording is entirely passive. No electricity is delivered to you at any point, which is the commonest misconception about this study. Nothing enters the body, no medication is given, and you remain awake and aware throughout unless sleep is part of the protocol.
Why does the hair instruction matter so much?
Because sensors attach with paste and any residue interferes with contact, which degrades the recording. Wash your hair beforehand and use no conditioner, oil, gel, spray or dry shampoo afterwards. Mention braids, extensions or hairpieces when booking. Arriving with clean, dry, product-free hair shortens the setup considerably and improves the quality of the recording.
My EEG was normal. Does that rule out epilepsy?
No. A routine recording samples twenty to forty minutes, and epilepsy is intermittent by definition, so a normal result means nothing abnormal appeared in that window. The description of your events continues to carry more diagnostic weight than the study. Where events are infrequent, multi-day ambulatory recording is the usual next step.
Can an EEG be wrong in the other direction?
Yes, and it matters more. Several normal variants closely resemble abnormalities, and a recording over-called as abnormal can lead to years of unnecessary medication and a driving restriction. That is why interpretation is kept in-house with fellowship training in epilepsy. Asking who read your recording, and what their training is, is a reasonable question.
Will I need to stay awake the night before?
Sometimes. Reduced sleep makes abnormal activity more likely to appear, so it is occasionally requested deliberately. That instruction is given individually rather than assumed, and if it applies, arranging a lift home is sensible. If sleep deprivation is requested, follow the instruction precisely, because a partial version reduces the value of the study.
Is it a problem if I fall asleep?
No, it is useful. Sleep frequently reveals activity that wakefulness does not, so dozing during the recording helps rather than hinders. There is no need to fight it, and the technologist will not wake you unless the protocol requires a period of wakefulness for comparison. Many recordings are more informative because the patient slept.
Can I drive myself home?
Yes, unless reduced sleep was requested as part of the protocol, in which case arranging a lift is sensible. Otherwise there is no recovery period and ordinary activity resumes immediately. Bring a hat or scarf if you would rather not travel home with paste in your hair, though it washes out easily.
Where exactly is the Henderson office?
1691 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 100, Henderson NV 89012, just off the 215 Beltway, with parking on site. All six in-office studies are performed and interpreted there, so nothing is referred across to the Las Vegas office. Green Valley, Anthem, Whitney and Boulder City are generally closer to it than to West Flamingo Road.
Should I use the Henderson or the Las Vegas office?
Whichever is the shorter drive, since both are fully equipped and hold the same records. West Horizon Ridge Parkway generally suits Green Valley, Anthem and Boulder City; West Flamingo Road suits the west and southwest of the valley. If you can attend either, say so when booking, because availability differs between the two week to week.
What happens if the recording is normal?
It means nothing abnormal appeared in that window, which for a twenty to forty minute sample of an intermittent condition is common and expected. The description of your events continues to carry more weight. Where episodes are infrequent, multi-day ambulatory recording at home is the usual next step. The description of your events still carries the most weight.
How this page was sourced
Practice facts come from Clinical Neurology Specialists directly: that the study is performed at both offices and interpreted within the practice by a neurologist with fellowship training in epilepsy. Clinical context is sourced to the organisations listed below.
No specific waveform findings, prevalence figures or detection rates are published, because interpretation depends on the individual recording and the clinical context. Nevada driving requirements are referred to rather than quoted, because they change and are applied case by case. No outcome is promised. Scope is adults 18 and older.
Change log
- 2026-07-28 — page published; clinical content reviewed.
- 2026-07-28 — last reviewed against AAN, AANEM and NINDS guidance; internal links and schema verified.
- Review cadence: quarterly, or sooner if guidance changes.
How to cite this page
Clinical Neurology Specialists. “EEG test Henderson.” Reviewed 2026-07-28. https://www.cnsnevada.com/diagnostic-testing/eeg-testing/eeg-test-henderson/
References
- American Epilepsy Society — clinical guidance on epilepsy and electroencephalography.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke — the reference catalogue of nervous-system disorders.
- American Academy of Neurology — practice guidance and specialist supply.
This page is for general information about a Clinical Neurology Specialists office and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. It does not create a physician-patient relationship. Adults 18 and older. For an active stroke, a first-time or prolonged seizure, sudden severe headache, sudden weakness, sudden vision loss, or a head injury with loss of consciousness, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.