Neurophysiology

Our Neurophysiology service provides diagnostic tests for people with problems or injuries relating to their brain and nervous system. We are a part of the Neurology Service and are a non-surgical service.

About this service

We are an Allied Health led service. We offer neurological diagnostic testing for people with disease of the nervous system and brain.

We use tests that monitor your brainwaves and nerves to help diagnose conditions. These are called Neurophysiological investigations and include:

• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Sleep-Deprived EEG (SDEEG)
• Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) and Electromyography (EMG)
• Brainstem Evoked Potentials (BSEP)
• Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP)
• Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP).

We also perform some minor procedures, including administering therapeutic botox.

Who we care for

We care for both inpatients and outpatients.

We offer these services for free if you have a Medicare Card or an Asylum Seeker Card.

How to access this service

Your Neurologist or GP will organise for you to access this service.

After our lead Neurophysiology Scientist has looked at your referral, a member of our administration team will contact you with your first appointment details.

Some conditions are more urgent than others, so for this reason, you may be placed on a waiting list.

What to expect

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

An EEG is a simple and painless test which allows us to assess how your brainwaves are functioning.

This test is performed by an allied health professional called a Clinical Neurophysiology Scientist. The results are reported by a Neurologist.

During this test, a set of small metal discs called electrodes are placed on your head. These are connected to a computer that reads the brain waves during the test.

EEGs are safe and painless.

Sometimes seizures are intentionally triggered in people with epilepsy during the test, but appropriate medical care is provided if needed.

You should avoid anything with caffeine on the day of the test because it can affect the test results. You should continue to take your usual medications unless instructed otherwise.

Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) and Electromyography (EMG)

We perform nerve conduction studies to find and evaluate damage to your nerves. This includes nerves that lead away from your brain and spinal cord to the smaller nerves that branch out from them. This test is performed by a Clinical Neurophysiology Scientist or Neurologist.

During the test, electrodes are placed on your skin, over the nerves we want to test. Very mild electricity is passed through the nerve so we can calculate how fast the electricity travels between electrodes.

You may feel some discomfort, however, your Clinical Neurophysiology Scientist or Neurology will monitor this. You should feel no pain once the test is finished.

EMG assesses the function of your muscles. This is not always needed but it’s always performed by a Neurologist.

Therapeutic Botox

Botox works by temporarily relaxing overactive muscles. It is injected into the affected muscle.

Botox might help you if you have conditions such as:

• blepharospasm (involuntary tight closure of the eyelids)
• dystonia (abnormal muscle tone), and
• spasticity (increased rigidity of muscles).

Injections typically last three months and, if beneficial, treatment will be required on a three-monthly basis. The procedure is performed by a Neurologist.

What to bring to your appointment

• Medicare card
• Any letters or correspondence from your GP
• Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
• Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
• List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
• Reading glasses (if required)

Where we’re located

Neurophysiology Unit, Building 1, Level 9, Canberra Hospital.

We have directions to Canberra Hospital.