
Electroencephalograms (EEGs) are used to evaluate brain activity. In some cases, an EEG will be carried out while the patient is asleep. This is called a sleep electroencephalogram (sleep EEG). Sleep EEGs are useful for identifying brain activity which may not be present while a patient is awake, and can be used to evaluate sleep disorders. Sleep-deprived EEGs are also used, where the patient is kept awake the night before the test to ensure they can sleep while it's carried out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To identify brain activity which may not be present while awake |
| Who needs to sleep | Patients being evaluated for a sleep disorder |
| Who may be asked to stay awake the night before | Adults and children |
| How long patients may be asked to stay awake | Adults: 4-5 hours; Children: 5-7 hours |
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What You'll Learn
- Sleep-deprived EEGs are used to evaluate sleep disorders
- Sleep EEGs are carried out on patients of all ages
- Sleep EEGs can be useful for identifying brain activity that may not be present while awake
- Sleep EEGs can be used to evaluate blackouts and seizures
- Sleep EEGs can be carried out in a hospital or at home

Sleep-deprived EEGs are used to evaluate sleep disorders
Recording the EEG during drowsiness and sleep can be useful to identify brain activity which may not be present while you are awake. It can be carried out on patients of all ages and abilities, making it a good way to get an overall view of the function of the brain. It is helpful as part of general investigations and more specific problems, such as blackouts and seizures.
If you are having a sleep EEG, you may be asked to keep your child up past their bedtime for two hours on the evening before the test and then wake them up two hours earlier on the day of the test. If the EEG is to be done during sleep, adults may not be allowed to sleep more than 4 or 5 hours the night before the test. Children may not be allowed to sleep for more than 5 to 7 hours.
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Sleep EEGs are carried out on patients of all ages
In some cases, patients may be asked to stay awake the night before the test to ensure they can sleep while it's carried out. This is called a sleep-deprived EEG. For children, this might involve keeping them up past their bedtime for two hours the night before the test and then waking them up two hours earlier on the day of the test.
Sleep EEGs can also be carried out as an ambulatory EEG, where brain activity is recorded throughout the day and night over a period of one or more days. This allows patients to continue with most of their normal daily activities while the recording is being taken.
In cases where a longer period of monitoring is required, patients may be admitted to the hospital for prolonged EEG (24-hour EEG) monitoring.
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Sleep EEGs can be useful for identifying brain activity that may not be present while awake
Electroencephalograms (EEGs) are sometimes carried out while the patient is asleep. This is called a sleep EEG. Sleep EEGs can be useful for identifying brain activity that may not be present while awake. They can be carried out on patients of all ages and abilities, making them a good way to get an overall view of brain function. They are helpful as part of general investigations and more specific problems, such as blackouts and seizures.
If you are being evaluated for a sleep disorder, the EEG may be done while you are asleep. In some cases, you may be asked to stay awake the night before the test to help ensure you can sleep while it's carried out. This is called a sleep-deprived EEG. If you need to be monitored for a longer period of time, you may be admitted to the hospital for prolonged EEG (24-hour EEG) monitoring.
If the EEG is to be done during sleep, adults may not be allowed to sleep more than four or five hours the night before the test. Children may not be allowed to sleep for more than five to seven hours. If you are unable to keep the appointment, inform the department as soon as possible beforehand.
Sleep EEGs are often carried out on children. To facilitate sleep, parents are asked to keep their child up past their bedtime for two hours on the evening before the test and then wake them up two hours earlier on the day of the test.
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Sleep EEGs can be used to evaluate blackouts and seizures
Sleep EEGs are often used to evaluate sleep disorders. If a patient needs to be monitored for a long period of time, they may be admitted to the hospital for 24-hour EEG monitoring. In cases where prolonged inpatient monitoring isn't possible, an ambulatory EEG may be used. This is where brain activity is recorded throughout the day and night over a period of one or more days. The electrodes are attached to a small portable EEG recorder that can be clipped onto the patient's clothing.
If a sleep EEG is required, adults may not be allowed to sleep more than four or five hours the night before the test. Children may not be allowed to sleep for more than five to seven hours. Sleep deprivation is sometimes used to facilitate sleep during the test. This can be done by keeping a child up past their bedtime for two hours on the evening before the test and then waking them up two hours early on the day of the test.
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Sleep EEGs can be carried out in a hospital or at home
If the EEG is to be done during sleep, adults may not be allowed to sleep more than four or five hours the night before the test. Children may not be allowed to sleep for more than five to seven hours. In some cases, you may be asked to stay awake the night before the test to help ensure you can sleep while it's carried out. This is called a sleep-deprived EEG.
Recording the EEG during drowsiness and sleep can be useful to identify brain activity which may not be present while a person is awake. It can be carried out on patients of all ages and abilities, making it a good way to get an overall view of the function of the brain.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're being evaluated for a sleep disorder, the electroencephalogram (EEG) may be done while you are asleep. Recording the EEG during sleep can be useful to identify brain activity which may not be present while you are awake.
If the EEG is to be done during sleep, adults may not be allowed to sleep more than 4 or 5 hours the night before the test. Children may not be allowed to sleep for more than 5 to 7 hours.
If you're having a sleep-deprived EEG, you may be asked to stay awake the night before the test to help ensure you can sleep while it's carried out. You may also be asked to keep your child up past their bedtime for two hours on the evening before the test and then wake them up two hours earlier on the day of the test.
After the test, the electrodes will be removed and the electrode paste will be washed off with warm water, acetone, or witch hazel. If you took any sedatives for the test, you may need to rest until they have worn off.









































