Our neurophysiology team have extensive expertise and experience across all aspects of neurological testing.
Fast-tracked test appointments are available for urgent problems.
See below for information about each test and how to prepare for the test or:
Download Neurological Testing & Procedures booklet
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common nerve problems treated by our neurologists.
Listen to Dr Neil Simon discuss this condition, and how we use nerve conduction studies to support the diagnosis and guide treatment strategies.
Nerve Conduction Studies measure how well and how fast electrical impulses travel along nerves. It is used to look for evidence of nerve damage or disorder such as in carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy.
During a nerve conduction study electrodes are placed on the skin over the nerves being examined. A small electrical impulse is then applied to stimulate the nerve and an electrode measures the response.
These tests are not painful, but you may experience some discomfort, like a brief shock of static electricity that you may feel when touching a metal railing.
In many situations, EMG (electromyography) may be needed following nerve conduction studies to give more detailed information about damage to muscles and the nerves controlling them. EMG involves placing a very fine needle under the skin, which acts as a microphone to record the electrical activity of the muscle. The size of the needle is similar to an acupuncture needle, and usually produces only mild discomfort.
Nerve conduction studies +/- EMG takes around 45-60 minutes to perform.
EEG (Electroencephalogram) is a non-invasive test that records electrical activity in the brain. Small electrodes are attached to the scalp to measure the brain’s electrical impulses. This is useful to help diagnose conditions such as epilepsy.
Your doctor may request an EEG if you have had a seizure, blackout, dizzy spell or ‘funny turn’, or are experiencing confusion or memory changes.
In an EEG electrodes are attached to specific locations on the scalp using gel. These electrodes detect and record electrical signals generated by the brain’s neurons. The resulting EEG data shows patterns of brain wave activity, categorized into different types such as alpha, beta, delta and theta waves.
These patterns provide insight into brain function particularly valuable in diagnosing conditions such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, and brain injuries.
An EEG takes approximately 40-60 minutes to perform.
If you have a child that is having an EEG check out this great article on how to prepare (there may even be some relevant tips here for the adults too).
Evoked potentials may be ordered to test the pathways in the brain and spinal cord. Evoked potentials involve placing discs over the scalp, which record the electrical activity from the brain. A stimulus is then given to the nerves in the arm or leg (somatosensory evoked potentials), the eye (visual evoked potentials), or the ear (brainstem auditory evoked potentials).
Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP)
SSEPs are used to test the passage of signals in the spinal cord and brain. Your doctor might order SSEPs if you have possible nerve or spinal cord damage. SSEPs are performed by giving recurring low-intensity electrical stimulation to a nerve in the wrist or ankle. Electrical activity is recorded over various points of the limbs, spine and scalp and these signals are used to determine if there are any points of damage along the pathway.
SSEPs are not painful, and take 60-90 minutes to perform.
Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP)
VEPs are used to test the visual pathways between the eyes and the brain. Your doctor might order VEPs if you have experienced a change in your vision. During VEPs, you will be asked to look at a screen displaying a flashing checkerboard pattern. This activates the visual pathway and signals are recorded from discs on the scalp at the back of the head. It is important that you wear your glasses or contact lenses for the test. The test requires some concentration to remain focused on the screen, but it is painless.
VEPs take approximately 60 minutes to perform.
Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP)
BAEPs are used to test the pathways between the inner ear and brain. Your doctor might order BAEPs if there has been a change in your hearing ability. During BAEPs, you will wear earphones that produce a series of clicking noises. Series of sounds are repeated to produce signals that travel through the acoustic nerve and brain, which are recorded by discs placed over the scalp.
BAEPs are painless and take about 30 minutes to perform.
Vestibular Function Testing assesses the balance and spatial orientation senses controlled by the inner ear. These evaluations help diagnose issues like vertigo or balance disorders.
Video head-impulse tests (vHlTs) - investigates the horizontal, anterior and posterior semicircular canal function vHITs measure the function of all six semicircular canals. This is a non-invasive test involving measurement of eye movement abnormalities in response to sudden brief head movements that is very easy for patients to tolerate.
Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) – ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs) and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) which assess the utricle and saccule function.
Ultrasound provides excellent detail of nerve and muscle structures. It provides valuable information on the structure of nerve and muscle and is complementary to the results of nerve conduction studies and EMG.
Ultrasound may be able to identify the precise cause and location of nerve or muscle injury. Ultrasound is also useful to guide treatments such as nerve or muscle injections, as it can visualise the needle so that the injection is placed accurately.
Ultrasound testing is most useful when nerve conduction studies and EMG have not found the cause for the symptoms, when nerve injury is progressing rapidly or when atypical features are present. It is also useful for those patients who are unable to tolerate nerve conduction studies.