Electroencephalography (EEG)

An electroencephalogram (EEG) shows patterns of electrical activity produced by your brain as recorded by electrodes placed on your scalp. It is non-invasive and minimally uncomfortable (the electrodes may scratch or itch you and are held in place with a sticky paste). The electrodes do not generate any electricity; they only record electrical activity produced by your brain. You will need to be still with your eyes closed during the 20-40 minute recording in order to get a quality EEG.

The majority (65%) of EEGs from people with sporadic CJD show characteristic abnormalities (spike and wave complexes about once every second) at some point in their disease course; these abnormalities, however, may not appear until late in the disease. Furthermore, the characteristic EEG changes are not specific to CJD, as they are also seen in toxic/metabolic conditions (e.g., severe liver disease) and even rarely in Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body Disease and Hashimoto's encephalopathy. In most people with CJD, the EEG will just show slowing of brain electrical activity, which is not specific for CJD and occurs in many neurological conditions.

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