What Is a Sleep-Deprived EEG for Seizures?

A sleep-deprived EEG, or an electroencephalogram, is a type of EEG that's done when you've had much less sleep than usual. It's used to detect subtle seizures, like absence seizures or focal seizures.

Like standard EEGs, this non-invasive test records the electrical activity of the brain and can pick up on abnormal brain waves through electrodes attached to the scalp. When you fall asleep or doze during the test, the machine will continue to record activity in your brain.

Learn about sleep-deprived EEGs, their purpose in diagnosing seizures, potential risks, and costs, and what to expect before, during, and after the testing is completed.

Purpose of Test

The relationship between sleep and epilepsy has been studied for years. Sleep deprivation is proposed as an “activation procedure” used to trigger epileptic seizures and to initiate interictal epileptiform abnormalities. The latter are abnormal electrical patterns that are characteristic of epilepsy and occur between clinical seizures.

Sleep deprivation can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of epilepsy and increase the probability of detecting the characteristic electrical patterns known as epileptiform discharges. 

Standard EEGs may detect many findings, including evidence of:

A sleep-deprived EEG further assesses changes in brain activity that can indicate various brain disorders, like epilepsy or other seizure disorders. A sleep-deprived EEG can be used to diagnose and differentiate various types of epilepsies.

Sometimes seizure activity can manifest with psychiatric symptoms. Therefore, in some psychiatric presentations, a sleep-deprived EEG may be ordered by your healthcare provider to identify abnormalities that are typically seen with seizures.

While sleep-deprived EEGs are common tests for detecting epilepsies, the protocol for these tests can vary significantly depending on the healthcare provider’s orders. The amount of sleep the person obtains the night before, the duration of the EEG, and the time of day the examination is administered are not specific to the test. These may contribute to some differences in the results at times encountered when comparing studies done at different institutions.

Risks and Contraindications

A sleep-deprived EEG is safe, painless, and poses no significant risk. Most people experience little or no discomfort during an EEG. Remember, the electrodes do not transmit electrical charges, they only pick up electrical activity from the brain itself.

Like in alternative activation procedures involving photic stimulation (fast, flashing lights or patterns) or hyperventilation (very quick breathing), sleep deprivation can trigger a seizure during the exam. If you are undergoing a sleep-deprived EEG, you will be carefully monitored throughout the procedure.

If the seizure is prolonged, as would occur in a condition called status epilepticus, oxygen and the appropriate safety equipment are kept nearby the monitoring room and a protocol would be followed to quickly end the disturbance.

Before the Test

Timing

A standard EEG procedure can be about one hour to an hour and a half, with time spent applying the electrode wires and a 20 to 40 minute period for recording brain activity, while the sleep-deprived EEG procedure usually takes a few hours. The recording will continue while that patient is falling asleep or dozing. Once the test is over and the patient wakes up, they can immediately go home.

Prior to the test, the healthcare provider will ask you to sleep less or avoid sleep completely the night before the test. How much sleep you get will depend on your healthcare provider’s orders and you should try to follow the directions as carefully as possible.

It is likely that your healthcare provider may have you go in for the sleep-deprived EEG early in the morning in order to ensure you are drowsy during the test and don't accidentally fall asleep during the day.

Location

A sleep-deprived EEG is typically an outpatient procedure, meaning that it occurs without the need for hospitalization. It can be performed in a healthcare provider’s office, hospital, lab, or clinic. In some cases, a sleep-deprived EEG may occur as part of longer video EEG monitoring on an epilepsy monitoring unit in a hospital.

Arranging Transportation

Because you are likely to be drowsy during and after the sleep-deprived EEG, it is in your best interest to arrange for someone else to drive you to and from the testing.

What to Wear

Because you will be seated or lying down during the exam, you should wear something comfortable. A top that buttons or zips up is advised, so you don't have to pull anything over your head. Jewelry is permitted, but keep in mind that large or dangling earrings could get in the way depending on where the electrodes are placed.

Hair Care

You should wash your hair the night before or the day of the test and ensure that your scalp is clean and free of natural oils. Refrain from putting any conditioners, hair creams, sprays, or styling gels in your hair. Hair products and oils make it more difficult for the sticky patches or adhesive paste to stick and adhere to the electrodes to your scalp.

Food and Drink

Avoid anything with caffeine, like coffee or tea, on the day of the test or at least eight to 12 hours prior. Caffeine can interfere with the test results.

If you are taking any prescription medications, or regularly take over-the-counter drugs or supplements, make sure your healthcare provider is aware. You should take your medications as usual, unless instructed otherwise. Most medications are fine to take prior to an EEG, although anything that acts as a sedative can interfere with test results. It is best to confirm what you should take on the day of the test prior to the procedure.

Cost and Health Insurance

With health insurance, an EEG can be covered as long as it is considered medically necessary and corresponds to the terms of your policy. Of course, you may be responsible for a copayment for the procedure or visit, especially if you have not met your annual deductible.

The estimated national average for the cost of a sleep-deprived EEG is $930, however, the cost can vary depending on where the procedure takes place, your state of residence, and other factors. Generally, extended EEGs, unlike standard EEGs that cost from around $200 to $800, may cost between $1,000 and $3,000, or more.

Some hospitals may offer discounts of up to 30 percent for patients who don't have health insurance or who pay out-of-pocket for an EEG. Be sure to ask. Try to verify your financial responsibility prior to the testing if this is a concern.

During the Test

When you arrive, you will likely be checked in and asked to sign a form of consent. The EEG technician will be responsible for running your test and monitoring you during its duration. She will escort you to the testing room, or if you are in a hospital, the epileptic monitoring unit, which is usually in the neurology or epilepsy department. The room you will be tested in will probably be dim and quiet. You will be asked to relax and to sit in either a reclining chair or to lie comfortably on a bed.

Before placing the electrodes, the technician will measure your head to find the accurate spots to place them. She will mark these spots with a wax crayon. At least 16 and even up to 25 electrodes can be placed on your head for the sleep-deprived EEG. The technician will gently scrub each spot with a gritty cream that allows for better application of the adhesive paste or glue, which in turn, will help lead to a quality reading.

At the start of the sleep-deprived EEG, the technician will ask you to relax and close your eyes. She will probably suggest starting with a few deep breaths. Once the test begins, it is important that you remain as still as possible. Even blinking or swallowing can throw off a reading. During the test, it is alright if you doze, and you might be encouraged to do so. The technician will also be watching you to see any signs of seizures triggered during the test.  

After the Test

Once the test is over, the EEG technician will remove the electrodes, and will probably use the help of some warm water or acetone to wash off or remove the adhesive paste. 

After the test, you should be able to return to your normal activities, although you will likely be much more tired than normal. Again, having someone drive you or arranging a pick up would be in your best interest to ensure safety behind the wheel.

You will probably want to wash your hair as soon as possible. Your scalp may be slightly irritated in the spots where the electrodes were placed, but the irritation goes away fast, often within a few days.

If you stopped taking medications before the test, your healthcare provider will inform you when you may resume these.

Interpreting Results

The EEG recordings are interpreted by a board-certified neurologist with expertise in epilepsy diagnosis. These results will be relayed via a report to your provider. The time it takes to get your results back may depend on how soon the neurologist can finish interpreting the data and share this information with your healthcare provider. You could get your results as soon as a day later, but it may take a few weeks.

Aside from the results of the test, the neurologist and your provider will take note of observations made during monitoring, your medical history, physical examination, and previous laboratory tests. This will help to understand the test results in the context of your clinical history.

Abnormal results of a sleep-deprived EEG can indicate that you might have:

• Generalized epilepsy
• Focal epilepsy
• Other epilepsy syndromes

Follow-Up

Your healthcare provider will likely schedule an office appointment with you to go over the sleep-deprived EEG results. It might be helpful to bring along someone, like a family member or friend, to also catch the major points discussed during the appointment. Feel free to jot down notes. Ask about next steps, if any other follow-up evaluation is necessary, and if there are any factors that could have impacted the results of the sleep-deprived EEG.  

If you do receive abnormal results, your healthcare provider might recommend you undergo further testing, like another type of EEG or imaging tests, like a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a positron emission tomography (PET) to detect lesions or other abnormalities of your brain that could be causing you to have seizures.

Any need for treatment will depend on your final diagnosis. Epilepsy can be managed with medication or surgery.

A Word From Verywell

Having symptoms of seizures or having to undergo an EEG can be scary. Sleep deprivation can help optimize conditions during the EEG that can aid in the detection of more subtle epileptiform abnormalities that may not have been seen in a standard EEG. Enduring a sleep-deprived EEG and waiting for the final interpretation of the test result can be anxiety-provoking, but try to focus on the value of the test.

With a successful sleep-deprived EEG and the appropriate interpretation, your board-certified neurologist will be able to give you clarity on the next steps and what will be best for you and your health.