Updates

Neurophysiology

Complete evaluation and testing for neurological and sleep disorders

Pediatric neurophysiologists are neurologists who specialize in evaluating, diagnosing and treating neurological conditions that affect a child’s brain, spinal cord and nerves. At Texas Children’s Hospital, our Neurophysiology Department provides a wide range of specialized tests and consultative services to help diagnose and treat neurological conditions and sleep disorders in children of all ages

Multispecialty team for advanced neurological testing

Our highly trained team includes doctors and technologists with training and experience in pediatrics, neurology, neurophysiology, psychiatry and related specialties. 

Neurophysiology testing and treatment

Our multispecialty team offers four specialized areas of testing and treatment.

EEG Lab (electroencephalography)

Our technologists perform EEG, intraoperative monitoring, evoked potential tests and long-term video EEG monitoring during the day. We offer emergency EEG testing 24/7.

Our EEG procedures include:

  • Routine and complex EEG: EEGs measure the brain’s electrical activity using small patches (electrodes) attached to the scalp to help diagnose brain disorders.
  • Ambulatory EEG: In this type of EEG, your child wears a small device to measure brain activity over 1 to 3 days as they go about their usual activities.
  • Long-term video EEG monitoring: Our technologists take video of your child during an EEG to gather more information for diagnosis.
  • Evoked potential (EP) tests: These tests measure electrical activity in the brain and spinal cord in response to stimulations such as images, sounds or electrical pulses.
  • Brain mapping: This test maps your child’s brain to locate areas that control important functions such as movement, sensation or speech.
  • Wada testing: This test helps determine which areas of the brain are involved in your child’s language or memory abilities to help neurosurgeons avoid those areas during brain surgery.
  • Intraoperative monitoring: These procedures monitor signals through the brain, spinal cord and nerves during surgery.
  • Actigraphy: Your child wears a small device, like a wristwatch, to track light levels and movements to help assess their sleep patterns over several days to weeks.
  • Diagnostic and therapeutic polysomnography: A diagnostic sleep study helps diagnose sleep disorders, and therapeutic sleep studies include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
  • Multiple sleep latency testing: Also called a daytime nap study, this test checks for excessive daytime sleepiness by measuring how quickly your child falls asleep in a quiet environment during the day.

Intraoperative monitoring

Intraoperative monitoring is continuous monitoring of the central nervous system during surgery to watch for any changes in neurological function. Throughout surgery, our neurophysiologists provide feedback to the surgeons about neurological structures and alert them to any changes. Intraoperative monitoring also helps locate structures within the brain, spinal cord and nerves to help guide surgeons during operations.

Comprehensive Epilepsy Center

At the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, the epilepsy team evaluates children of all ages to confirm accurate diagnoses and support their care. The team includes epileptologists, doctors and providers from several specialties, including neurophysiology, neurology, neurosurgery, nursing, child life, physical medicine, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, nutrition and social work.

The Center has earned accreditation from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers as a level 4 program. That means we provide the highest level of specialized care for children who have epilepsy. Our center features state-of-the-art equipment with wireless technology, technologists on-site 24/7 and a playroom and clubhouse for your child to enjoy during their hospital stay.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is noninvasive imaging that identifies brain activity and measures small magnetic fields caused by brain activity. Our neurophysiologists use MEG scans to pinpoint areas in the brain where seizures may start.